Peter Dutton: 'I was a better person to lead than Malcolm Turnbull'
Updated
Peter Dutton has declared he has no regrets about bringing on a week of drama that has split the Liberal Party and halted Parliament.
In exclusive comments provided to the ABC, the former home affairs minister said he wanted to "rise above" criticism levelled at him by deposed prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
But he described himself as a "better person" and a "person of greater strength and integrity to lead the Liberal Party" than the Member for Wentworth.
Mr Dutton also declared he was open to returning to Cabinet, but that it was an an "issue" for Scott Morrison.
No regrets
"I don't regret it at all," he told the ABC in a Canberra lobby about bringing on the leadership turmoil.
"I'm pleased Scott Morrison's been elected prime minister — I think it's a good day for our country."
The former home affairs minister was defeated 45 votes to 40 in a leadership ballot in the Liberal party room.
"I think it's a turning point and I think it's a healing point for the Liberal Party," he said.
"I think we now look forward instead of back.
"Obviously there's animosity that ran deep within the party from when Malcolm Turnbull deposed Tony Abbott and we now draw a line under all of that and look forward."
Targeting Turnbull
Mr Turnbull took aim at Mr Dutton and his supporters in his final press conference as prime minister.
"The people who chose Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott, who chose to deliberately attack the Government from within, they did so because they wanted to bring the Government down," he said.
"They wanted to bring my prime ministership down."
Mr Dutton stopped short of saying his effort this week was all about unseating Mr Turnbull, but he didn't hold back when describing the former leader.
"For me, I only ever nominated because I believed I was a better person and a person of greater strength and integrity to lead the Liberal Party," he said.
But he also sought to put the events of this week behind him — including Mr Turnbull's criticism.
"I would rise above it because there's a lot of emotion and a lot of rewriting of history," he said.
Home Affairs
Mr Dutton was enjoying a quiet meal with his family just two hours after the leadership ballot when he volunteered his comments. He thanked his colleagues for their support this week.
"I'm spending time with my family — that's all I'm concentrating on this afternoon, and returning calls to friends and family," he said.
"I want to thank all of my colleagues who supported me.
"They've been fantastic all the way through the process and I'm very grateful for their support."
He was also open to returning to the home affairs portfolio. When asked whether he fancied a return, he said only: "They're all issues for the prime minister."
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Topics: government-and-politics, leadership, australia
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