Peter Craig Dutton is an Australian politician who has served as Leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition since May 2022. Born on November 18, 1970, in Brisbane, Queensland, Dutton worked as a police officer in the Queensland Police Service for nearly a decade before entering politics. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2001, representing the seat of Dickson in Queensland's northern suburbs, which he has held continuously since then.
Throughout his parliamentary career, Dutton has held several significant ministerial portfolios under Liberal-led governments. He served as Minister for Health and Sport from 2013 to 2014, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection from 2014 to 2017, and Minister for Home Affairs from 2017 to 2022. In these roles, he was instrumental in implementing the Coalition's border protection policies, including Operation Sovereign Borders, and oversaw the establishment of the Department of Home Affairs, which consolidated national security and law enforcement agencies. Dutton was also a key figure in Australia's response to various security challenges and played a prominent role in immigration policy reform.
As Opposition Leader, Dutton has positioned the Liberal Party with a focus on nuclear energy as an alternative to renewable energy targets, stronger border protection measures, and economic policies aimed at reducing cost-of-living pressures. He has been a vocal critic of the Albanese government's climate policies and has advocated for a more robust approach to national security issues, particularly regarding China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for his conservative stance on social issues and strong support for law enforcement, Dutton represents the party's right faction and has consistently emphasized themes of national security, border control, and traditional values in his political messaging.