Moderate MP and Voice supporter Andrew Bragg has also put his hand up to replace Robert,but that appointment would frustrate some Queenslanders who are,typically,more conservative.
Leeser made a point of never directly criticising Dutton during the referendum campaign and stressed he was quitting on a matter of principle rather than as a protest against Dutton.
Many of the MPs opposing his promotion retain strong respect for the 47-year-old,who is viewed as smart and decent,but may ultimately suffer for his principled stance. But some are questioning his political judgement in fighting for a cause few Liberal voters supported.
One conservative MP predicted Leeser would incur a similar fate to that of Petro Georgiou,a well-known former Victorian Liberal who served 16 years in parliament and was long-touted for promotion but never achieved it,in part because of his outspoken opposition to mandatory detention policies.
“The weight of evidence suggests Leeser would come back. The Left will push for it,he’s a media darling too. But I think Leeser is the new Petro Georgiou”.
“Dutton is a bloke who will give you a chance but if you go against him,he won’t forget it.”
A second MP said Leeser’s resignation had caused damage to the opposition and that while he could return to the frontbench at some point,“he has to serve his time” because “I don’t think you can reward people who go against the leadership”.
A third MP unfavourably compared Leeser’s approach to the Voice to that of Bragg,whoconsistently attacked Labor for its handling of the referendum,while Leeser largely refrained from criticising the government once it became clear the contentious referendum wording would not be changed to appease conservatives.
In April,Dutton was asked if there was a chance Leeser could return to the frontbench,to which he answered,“I think there will be one day,” and added that “Julian’s a man of immense talent and character”.
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Leeser on Sunday said on ABC’sInsiders that his potential promotion was a matter for Dutton and he was fully focused on campaigning to remove the Labor government.
Some MPs said the shadow cabinet could be expanded by an extra member,as Michael Sukkar currently has three shadow cabinet posts and a heavy workload.
Luke Howarth or Angie Bell,who are already frontbenchers,Phillip Thompson,Paul Scarr,or Dean Smithcould all be part of a reshuffle of the shadow cabinet and assistant shadow ministry.
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