Liberal MPs blindsided by Peter Dutton's referendum call
Several Liberal MPs found out about Peter Dutton's plan for a referendum in the media, and are pleased he has watered the idea down.
Several Liberal MPs were blindsided by Opposition leader Peter Dutton raising the prospect of a referendum to deport Australians with a second passport, fearing it sent the wrong signal to multicultural communities just before the election.
News.com.au first reported that Dutton was considering a constitutional change to allow the deportation of dual nationals convicted of crimes last month, though the issue dominated Tuesday’s political debate after it was revived by the Nine newspapers.
Several MPs found out about the idea, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed as a “thought bubble”, via the media this week.
Having doubled down on the idea on Tuesday, Dutton appeared to water down his stance on the following day, after confused Liberal messaging and concerns within his party room.
