Sightings of Peter Dutton have been rare since a crushing federal election loss.
But the former opposition leader stole the limelight at the annual Liberal National Party convention, making a surprise appearance in Brisbane on Friday.
He received a standing ovation after being hailed as a ‘great son of the party’ by outgoing president Lawrence Springborg and got another during praise from successor Sussan Ley.
But Dutton, 54, ruled out making a comeback despite the reception, saying he was ‘too old for that’.
Dutton had kept a low profile since a devastating federal campaign, when the coalition lost the election and he was dumped from his Brisbane seat of Dickson.
Yet he was hard to miss as he joined hundreds of party members for the opening day’s addresses.
Dutton was ‘very grateful’ for the rousing ovations after glowing tributes from Ley and Springborg, the architect of the 2008 LNP merger in Queensland.
‘I have a lot of friends in the room,’ he told reporters.
Former opposition leader Peter Dutton (pictured) received a standing ovation at the annual Liberal National Party convention in Brisbane on Friday
‘I’ve dedicated almost a quarter of a century to this party and love our state and our country and I’ll always do everything I can to see the best days ahead of us.’
Asked if he would consider a political return, Dutton said: ‘No mate, I’m too old for that’.
Dutton said his successor Ley was doing a ‘great job’ after soaking up her opening day address.
‘I think you saw in Sussan’s speech today a commitment to the principles which are important to families, small business, and making sure that the vision is there for the next election,’ he said.
In her speech, Ley said they must face the reality of the federal election after Labor pulled off its biggest victory since 1943.
Plans to modernise and broaden the LNP’s appeal were paramount, she said.
‘Our task is to take the lessons of defeat and turn them into the foundations of renewal.’
Ley said years under Dutton would help guide her through LNP’s next phase.
After his political loss during this year’s federal election (pictured, Dutton making his concession speech), Dutton has ruled out making a comeback, saying he was ‘too old for that’
‘Your record is one of courage, commitment and conviction. I’m proud to have been your deputy for three years,’ she said of Dutton.
‘I think about Peter often as I walk the corridors of Parliament House. What would Peter say? What would you do?’
Mr Springborg said Dutton would have been prime minister with a four-seat majority if the party’s Queensland May 2025 federal poll success was repeated nationwide.
The Coalition holds 16 of 30 seats in Queensland after winning more than 50 per cent of the two-party preferred vote at the federal election.
Springborg is set to step down as party president, a position he has held since 2021.
His impact has spanned decades, playing an instrumental role in creating the LNP 17 years ago.
The LNP has dominated Australia’s biggest council – Brisbane City – for 20 years, while David Crisafulli ended Labor’s nine-year reign at the 2024 state election.
It also maintained a lower-house majority in Queensland at the federal election despite Labor’s crushing win.
Springborg – who led the LNP in 2008-2009 and 2015 -2016 – will remain Queensland border town Goondiwindi’s mayor.
Nationals leader David Littleproud will feature at the three-day convention on Saturday, with Crisafulli on Sunday.
The party will debate 163 resolutions in open sessions, with topics including abandoning net zero, phasing out pokies and an anti-Semitism summit.
