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Agence France-Presse

Australia’s conservatives elected hardliner and China hawk Peter Dutton as the country’s new opposition leader on Monday, an outcome many will see as a lurch to the right for his party.
Dutton came out swinging after accepting the top spot, saying the country’s newly elected Labor government was not “ready to govern and we are already seeing their inexperience on display”.
He promised his party will go to the next election, due in 2025, with a plan to “clean up Labor’s inevitable mess”.
Elected unopposed, Dutton inherits a Liberal Party decimated by Australia’s May 21 election, when many of its long-time voters swung to independent candidates who promised action on climate change.
As China’s FM visits Fiji, Albanese says Australia ‘dropped the ball’ on the Pacific
The new opposition leader will have to rebuild his shattered party and try to unite its fiercely divided moderate and conservative wings, with climate a key sticking point.
Dutton described himself on Monday as “a very passionate believer” in Australia’s need for an “appropriate response” to emissions reduction.
A former police officer, Dutton made a name for himself in politics with tough talk and a penchant for headline-grabbing commentary.
As Defence Minister, he often likened China’s expansionist ambitions to Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
Pacific nations don’t need West’s ‘lectures’ about China ties, Kevin Rudd says
“The only way you can preserve peace is to prepare for war,” he said at the time.
“The issue of China under President Xi is the biggest issue our country will face in our lifetime,” he said on Monday.
He also expressed regret for his decision to boycott a national apology to Aboriginal Australians forcibly separated from their families.
At the time he believed “the apology should be given when the problems were resolved and the problems are not resolved,” Dutton said, citing the welfare issues many Indigenous Australians face.
Dutton and his allies in the Liberal Party have sought to play down his right-wing past since the election, saying Australians will see his softer side.

The new opposition leader said on Monday his policies would be “squarely aimed at the forgotten Australians, in the suburbs, across regional Australia”.
Ousted Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who stepped down from the Liberal leadership after the election drubbing, offered his “full support” to Dutton on Monday.
Australia’s newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week praised Dutton, saying he had a better relationship with him than Morrison.
“Peter Dutton has never broken a confidence that I’ve had with him,” Albanese said.


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Australia

Peter Dutton, a hardline conservative who claims to be tough on China, elected Australia’s opposition leader

Newly elected Leader of the Liberal Party Peter Dutton speaks to the media after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Newly elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Sussan Ley (R) listens to newly elected Leader of the Liberal Party Peter Dutton (L) speak to the media in Canberra, Australia on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Australia election: Labor seizes power, PM-elect Anthony Albanese vows to unite country

Anthony Albanese, leader of Australia’s Labor Party, addresses supporters after incumbent Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison conceded defeat in the country’s general election. Photo: Reuters

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (R) and his wife Jenny arrive to vote in a polling station in Sydney during the Australian federal election. Photo: dpa

Australia-China relations: ‘No doubt’ that Beijing wants to influence May 21 election, PM Scott Morrison’s defence minister says

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton addresses industry representatives during the opening of the Navy Guided Weapons Maintenance Facility in Western Sydney, Australia, in April. Photo: EPA-EFE

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) speaks, accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Icon for the smartphone app WeChat. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s account on Chinese-owned social media platform WeChat was taken over and renamed, and a lawmaker in January accused China’s leaders of political interference. Photo: AP

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton addresses the National Press Club in Canberra in November. Photo: EPA-EFE

As China’s Wang Yi visits Fiji, Albanese says previous Australian government ‘dropped the ball’ on the Pacific

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says South Pacific nations have been “very positive” about Canberra’s “re-engagement”. Photo: Pool via Reuters

Australia’s Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong says it was up to each island nation to decide what partnerships they formed and what agreements they signed, but urged them to consider the benefits of sticking with Australia. Photo: Fiji Sun via AP

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Asia

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Peter Dutton inherits a Liberal Party decimated by Australia’s May 21 election, when many long-time voters swung to independents who focused on climate change
As Defence Minister, Dutton often likened China’s expansionist ambitions to Nazi Germany in the 1930s



Peter Dutton said “the issue of China under President Xi is the biggest issue our country will face in our lifetime” after being elected unopposed on Monday.


China-Australia relations

Diplomacy