Liberal politicians have begun jostling to replace outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison as party leader after Labor seized government from the Coalition.
Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton. Photo: AFP PHOTO / SEAN DAVEY
Morrison last night took responsibility for the loss and said he would step down as Liberal leader.
The biggest Liberal losses in the election were to independent women, the "teal" candidates, who were running on integrity and climate policies.
Party insiders say Defence Minister Peter Dutton is the frontrunner to be the next Liberal leader.
Dutton drew attention in New Zealand last year when he called 501 deportees being returned here "trash."
Dutton was filmed by journalists speaking to 501 deportees as they boarded a chartered flight to New Zealand
He said to one "our country doesn't want you, are you excited to go home?" and to another "how does it feel to be kicked out of Australia?".
Footage also included Dutton saying "over the course of the last 12 months or so Border Force has been able to deport over 700 people".
"It's taking the trash out, then we can make Australia a safer place".
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's likely loss in his once-safe Melbourne seat has thrown open the leadership battle since he was most likely to lead the Liberals in opposition.
Queensland MP Karen Andrews called a Sunday morning press conference where she talked about her national security credentials and said it was time for her party to reflect on the loss.
She said it was "way too early to have a discussion about leadership" when asked if she would nominate for the position.
"I am not commenting on any leadership speculation," she said.
Andrews was among the first women to speak out about the culture in her party, saying she had "had a gutful" when revelations emerged about the treatment of women in Parliament House.
Party sources suggested Trade Minister Dan Tehan and Industry Minister Angus Taylor were also possible candidates.
When Andrews first entered politics, she beat Dutton in pre-selection when he was seeking to shift from his marginal Brisbane seat of Dickson to the safer Gold Coast seat of McPherson.
Frydenberg, once seen as a future Liberal prime minister, looks set to be the biggest victim of the Coalition's loss but has left open the possibility of returning to politics.
"I still have fire in my belly," he said.
The outgoing deputy leader said his party needed to get more women into Liberal ranks and that Australia had not been served well by culture wars on climate change.
- ABC w/RNZ