Peter Dutton elected new leader of Australia's Liberal Party

ANKARA

Australia’s opposition Liberal Party has elected former Defense Minister Peter Dutton as the new leader of the party on Monday, according to local media.

Dutton was chosen along with Sussan Ley as his deputy unopposed by the party, Sky News reported.

Scott Morrison, the former prime minister and the party's leader, stepped down after his party was defeated in the May 21 federal election against Labor Party and Anthony Albanese became the new premier of the country.

“Our … is the best party to keep our country safe and our economy strong so we can afford to pay for our essential services,” the broadcaster quoted Dutton as saying during his first press conference in Canberra.

"By the time of the next election in 2025 we will have presented a plan to the Australian people which will clean up Labor's inevitable mess and lay out our own vision," he added.

Dutton, 51, served as health and sports minister, home affairs minister and defense minister in different terms of the Liberal Party’s governments.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid