Liberals push for a woman as Dutton’s deputy

Some Liberals say a more moderate deputy leader would broaden Mr Dutton’s appeal in NSW and Victoria, where moderate Liberals were wiped out.

Ms Andrews said she was interested in whatever role allowed her to help the party. Her backers said she could work with teal independents and win back business and national security-oriented women voters.

“I am going to consider my position over the next day or so,” she told 4BC.

“I want to keep working with my colleagues very closely to assist them to set us up well for the next election. I really want to really consider which role I feel I am best able to add the most value.”

Dan Tehan, Angus Taylor and Paul Fletcher are among possible candidates for the leadership, while Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer left open the possibility of nominating for deputy.

Mr Fletcher wouldn’t comment on the leadership on Monday. Liberal sources said Ms Ley wanted to consider her position but remained open to nominating and helping the party rebuild.

West Australian Labor Premier Mark McGowan hit out at the possibility of Mr Dutton leading the opposition.

“He’s an extremist and I don’t think he fits with modern Australia at all, and he doesn’t seem to listen, he’s extremely conservative,” Mr McGowan said.

“I actually don’t think he’s that smart, I’ve seen him present on things I don’t really pick up there’s much there as opposed to Scott Morrison who is a clever guy.

“I don’t pick up that Peter Dutton is fit to be prime minister.”

Liberal Senator James Paterson said Mr Dutton had been speaking to colleagues since Scott Morrison announced plans to quit at the next meeting of Liberal MPs.

“My sense is there is a very strong consensus forming that Peter Dutton is the right choice to lead us through these times. Australians have seen him deliver the goods in very tough portfolios,” he said.

“He’s got really strong economic credentials as well. I mean he was the assistant treasurer to Peter Costello in the Howard government.”

Senator Paterson said candidates for the deputy leadership would likely come from states other than Mr Dutton’s home of Queensland. It is 40 years since a Liberal leader and their deputy came from the same state – Malcolm Fraser and Phillip Lynch, from Victoria.

Mr Morrison is expected to stay on in politics until at least the end of the year.

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce could also come under pressure, despite the minor party holding all its seats at Saturday’s poll. Some Nationals MPs are expected to push deputy leader David Littleproud to replace him, part of an effort at generational change.

Former minister and Victorian MP Darren Chester wrote on social media his party needed “to take some responsibility for the Liberal losses in the city with the more extreme views of some colleagues undoubtedly hurting the chances of our city cousins”.

“It was simple and devastatingly effective to say a vote for those moderate Liberals, was a vote for the ‘dinosaurs’ in the Nationals who didn’t believe in climate change.“