Dutton and Ley on track to lead Liberals

Ms Andrews said she wouldn’t nominate in the leadership ballot, expected as soon as next week, instead endorsing Ms Ley in a field that could include former social services minister Anne Ruston and Victorian senator and former superannuation minister Jane Hume.

“I believe at this stage most definitely Sussan Ley is the strongest contender.”

Ms Ley, who is not aligned within party’s moderate or conservative wings, has been assessing support among party colleagues in the wake of Saturday’s election loss. Backers say she can help attract voters in NSW and Victoria, and would potentially attract more moderate voters, complementing Mr Dutton’s hardline appeal.

Mr Dutton lost the 2018 leadership battle which saw Malcolm Turnbull’s ouster as prime minister but would likely win the support of conservative Liberals in the looming ballot.

He has served as minister for defence, home affairs, immigration and health since entering parliament in 2001.

Nationals frontbencher David Littleproud hit back at West Australian Premier Mark McGowan who labelled Mr Dutton an “extremist” on Monday, saying the comments were unnecessary.

“If you ask anyone in the Labor Party, in federal politics, they would say that Peter Dutton is one of the smartest politicians there, both on a political level and an intellectual level.

“That sort of diatribe just belongs with the states, we gave the states too much relevance, and now we are paying the price for it having to listen to that.”

Bass MP Bridget Archer has publicly said she would consider nominating for the deputy’s position as Liberals including NSW senator Andrew Bragg call for a woman to take the role.

“I’ve always supported the idea of having more women in Parliament, and I think we should have women as part of our leadership team in some form. Absolutely,” he said on Tuesday.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles on Tuesday asked the Australian Border Force to investigate text messages about an asylum seeker boat arriving in Australian waters, sent by the Coalition as voters in marginal seats went to the polls on Saturday.

“The texts sent out by the Liberal Party in that moment made our country less safe, made our borders less secure,” Mr Marles told Sky.

The boat, intercepted by Australian officials off Christmas Island, was returned to Sri Lanka, Operation Sovereign Borders Commander Rear Admiral Justin Jones said.

“What this shows is there is absolutely no change in terms of Australia’s border settings under this government,” Mr Marles said.