This is a political biography of Peter Dutton, at the time of writing, the Opposition Leader in Australia' Federal Parliament.

Dutton has been in politics since his late teens, though not holding office until a failed stint at university, a short career in the Queensland police force as well as, with his father, a property developer. The Liberal Party of which he is a member, has seen a reversal of fortunes in recent decades. Indeed one thesis espoused by the author is that the positions of both the current government led by the Labor Party has captured the once Liberal heartland of small and large business whereas the Liberals, and Dutton in particular believe the way back is to appeal to the battlers, and certainly not the TEALS/Greens who have arisen in recent years in particular in inner capital cities.

Dutton is portrayed as almost one dimensional, ruthless (or at least devoted) in his pursuit of winning Government, a 'strong man' and possibly a difficult leader to follow (in the sense that it is not immediately clear that all members of his party believe in his vision).

The implication is that Dutton is perhaps more pragmatic (to use a somewhat neutral) word that his opponents, and it is not the author's remit in a short essay like this to also address in any depth the corresponding approach of the Labor Party. But the essay is far from the 'hatchet job' that a review in The Weekend Australian (13-14 April 2024) made it out to be. Indeed that review was less a review of this essay and more a lament that Quarterly Essay more generally had descended into a partisan- leftist series.

An worthwhile read in order to get a different perspective on Dutton and some speculation as to how he might approach the next election.

Big Ship

23 April 2024 ( )

Leaves one longing for the politics of a past age. Modern politics has become relentlessly narrowed into the acquisition of power and the deception of the electorate. Dutton is the latest manifestation of that trend. ( )