Pat Combens searing political autopsy of Peter Dutton argues that voters didnt just reject a man they preserved the integrity of a nation.Anne Layton-Bennettreviews 'Dutton Deconstructed'.

WHEN THE 2025 Federal Election was fast approaching,Dutton Deconstructedcame as a warning, designed to encourage Australians to pause before they cast their vote, and seriously consider the character of would-be prime ministerPeter Duttonand his suitability to hold the position.

But the warning was academic by the time the book landed in my letterbox almost three weeks after the 3 May Election. The risk had passed and theAlbaneseLabor Government had been returned in a landslide. But its clear after reading it that by their comprehensive rejection of the Peter Dutton-led Liberals, Australians had dodged a large and very dangerous bullet.

There could scarcely have been a person more unsuitable to hold the highest office in the land.

Former Queensland MinisterPat Combenwas prompted to write Dutton Deconstructed in the wake of the 2023 Referendum on theVoice to Parliament. Concerned by the Nocampaigns relentless distortion of facts and the misinformation that circulated in the media, he had recognised how influential Federal Liberal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had been in ensuring the Referendum was defeated.

With anti-democratic movements stirring around the globe, Australia went to the polls in an unfazed frame of mind, writes Dr Lee Duffield.

As a former Queensland Minister for Environment, Heritage and Education, Comben sought to analyse the how and the why behind Duttons apparent determination to confuse people about the role of the Voice, and undermine the Albanese Labor Government in his bid for power.

Dutton was clearly buoyed by his success over the referendum result and with a federal election due barely 18 months later, as well as polls that were suggesting he could indeed be the next prime minister, Comben set about compiling all the publicly available evidence that described Duttons character, personality and political achievements. This evidence included observations, comments and opinions from Duttons peers that all confirmed not just his ambition to hold the top job, but that highlighted character flaws showing he was manifestly unsuitable for the role.

By the authors own admission, Dutton Deconstructed doesnt attempt to shirk from examining why others have called [Dutton] a range of terms across a spectrum from dull through Manichean and pitiless to dishonest and a hypocrite.

However accurate such perceptions are about the man, such unrelenting negativity published about a person did not make for a comfortable read, particularly when doing so took place against a background of global unrest and uncertainty. But despite Combens freely confessed personal bias about Dutton, its clear there was very little material across a range of media that showed Peter Dutton in a positive light.

Despite holding several senior ministerial portfolios since first being elected to the Queensland seat of Dickson in 2001, it was soon apparent Dutton had succeeded in managing none of them well or efficiently. But despite obvious failings, he accepted none of the blame for multiple departmental stuff-ups and questionable policy decisions that occurred under his tenure, or the waste of taxpayer dollars these involved. His modus operandi was always to shift the blame to others.

One example of many documented throughout the book occurred in 2018, when Dutton was the Minister for Home Affairs and had responsibility for the Communities Grants Program. Heannounced$200,000 funding for security measures to be installed by Tasmanias Waratah-Wynyard Council and Burnie City Councils.

While the Coalition was determined to switch Australia over to nuclear energy, voters had another opinion and overwhelmingly rejected the LNP's energy policy.

Comben writes:

Although the book is very readable and is well set out with short chapters under clear subtitles, and has detailed references at the end of each section for each article, quote, comment or speech extract used, it would have benefited both from an index and more careful proof-reading.

Readers hoping to find a more rounded view of Peter Dutton will be disappointed. Others will have their opinions of him reinforced as a divisive, racist, intolerant Liberal Party hard-man lacking in empathy.

Perhaps Duttons former parliamentary colleague,George Brandis, provides the mostaccurate assessment:

Dutton not only lost his chance of becoming prime minister in May this year, he also lost his seat. That comprehensive rejection of both the politician and the man suggests voters really didnt like or accept the version of Australia he was selling. The election result confirmed this opinion.

'Dutton Deconstructed' by Pat Comben is available by contacting Pat via the details in thispress release.

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Anne Layton-Bennettis a writer based in Tasmania.