The opposition leader has struggled to explain the Aston result as the Liberal Party combs through the wreckage of a further reversal in Victoria.
Labor never gave themselves a better than one-in-three chance of winning Aston,but they sniffed an opportunity.
Frustrated Liberal MPs are urging Peter Dutton to move to the political centre and refresh his shadow cabinet after the stunning byelection loss in Aston.
A group of federal and Victorian MPs are working on a plan to challenge Greg Mirabella,honing in on his involvement in the Aston preselection.
After being smashed at the byelection,Dutton remains the default choice for leader. The question for some Liberals is whether Dutton will do anything with his leadership.
After the federal election rout,Dutton’s patented aggressive negativity was all the Coalition had going for it as Labor reigned supreme. But nearly a year later,that approach is no longer fit for purpose.
The seat was the last remnant of the Liberals’ glory days in outer-eastern Melbourne. Now,following months of negativity and delusional behaviour from the party,it is gone.
The Liberal heartland seat of Aston has been won by Labor. Liberal leader Peter Dutton says the party has “a lot of rebuilding to do”. Follow our live blog for updates throughout the day.
Anthony Albanese said Labor’s upset victory in the Aston byelection showed Peter Dutton had been overly negative and too focused on internal party issues.
Labor candidate Mary Doyle admitted she was overwhelmed after securing a historic win in the Aston byelection.
Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell has called Labor’s Mary Doyle to concede in Aston – the first time in a century that a sitting government has won a seat from the opposition in a byelection since 1920.