Former opposition leader Peter Dutton returns to Canberra for first time since losing seat and the federal election
Peter Dutton has arrived in Canberra in the first public sighting of the former opposition leader since he lost his seat in the federal election.
He flew into Canberra Airport on a domestic Qantas flight on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Dutton was met by a small media pack at the airport.
'I think the model for me will be to lead a graceful silence," Mr Dutton told reporters.
'I'd say to my colleagues, the Liberal Party rebuilds from here, and that's as it should be.
'The best model I've seen is where leaders, former, make a graceful exit from politics and maintain their graceful silence, so that will be my model'.
When asked how he was in the wake of the election defeat, he said, "I'm very good, thank you".
Mr Dutton also commented on how he plans to spend his time now that he is free from life in politics.
'I feel there are lots of opportunities but most importantly, to spend some time with family and friends and that's about it,' he said.
'But as I said, the easiest thing for former leaders to do is maintain a graceful silence so I'll leave that to others.
"I just want to say thank you to all of those who have offered good wishes, there are a lot of people who have been very kind and generous in their remarks, so I am very grateful for that."
The Coalition suffered a resounding loss in the election, winning only 40 seats to Labor's 89, with counting remaining ongoing in a further 11 seats.
The 54-year-old's political career was dramatically ended in the election as Mr Dutton not only lost the race to become prime minister, but also the Queensland seat of Dickson.
The ex-Liberal leader held the seat since 2001, and was holding onto a slim 1.7 per cent margin at the time voters went to the polls, making it the most marginal seat in Queensland.
He was ultimately booted out of parliament after being unseated by Labor candidate Ali France.
Mr Dutton was gracious in his concession speech and congratulated the Labor Party and the newly-elected Dickson MP Ali France on their victory as he reflected on a Coalition campaign that "clearly wasn't good enough".
He said Ms France would "do a good job as a local member" and that he was grateful to have spent such a long time in politics.
"Twenty-four years is a long time to be in public life, and it has been an amazing honour," he said.
"Our Liberal family is hurting across the country tonight, including in my electorate of Dickson, and I want to say thank you very much to all of them."
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