Australia news LIVE: Peter Dutton becomes opposition leader, Sussan Ley elected as deputy; David Littleproud elected Nationals leader

Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes and Greens Senator Dorinda Cox have gone head-to-head over the Liberal Party’s election of Peter Dutton as its new leader.

While Hughes described Dutton as “very effective”, Cox said he would “continue his divisive nature”.

Senator Hollie Hughes.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

“I’ve known him for about 15 years and perhaps his public persona versus what he’s like in private is very, very [different],” Hughes told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing.

“He’s someone who was always very effective, very supportive whenever I went to him with an issue, something that had to be dealt with … he’s very effective.

Senator Dorinda Cox.

“I think there’s a lot of people that are nervous about how effective he will be. He’s very, very capable and I think he will ensure the Liberal Party stays very true to its centre right values.”

In response, Cox criticised Dutton’s past behaviour and his language today.

“I think Mr Dutton will continue his divisive nature and we’ve heard that through the language today, particularly around making a mistake … boycotting the apology was quite a significant issue and a very, very public stance in relation to that,” she said.

“Glad to hear he’s been on a learning curve but I don’t hold any hope that that’s actually going to provide any collaboration in the work of going forward, particularly for the Liberal Party. We have seen that with [the debate over ‘African gang violence’] and the divisive language they used.

“[And in] jokes about our Pacific neighbours and the water that’s been lapping at their door step and them asking for two decades of the politicians and particularly for the Liberal Party for urgent climate action.

“This will continue to be a narrative that the Liberal Party will continue under Peter Dutton.”

The two also debated enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the constitution. During the discussion Hughes took a swipe at Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe, saying “her behaviour is an abomination most of the time”.

Cox said the behaviour of politicians on both sides needs “to be corrected”.