Former attorney-general Christian Porter hosts dinner to introduce Peter Dutton to Perth’s A-listers

Former attorney-general Christian Porter has hosted a dinner in Perth to introduce his “good friend” Peter Dutton, the new Opposition leader, to some of WA’s most influential figures. Mr Porter, who retired from politics before the Federal election, put on the event at Nedlands eatery Steve’s with another former Federal Liberal MP, ex-justice minister Michael Keenan. The West Australian understands the gathering was designed to get Mr Dutton in front of a room on key players, including business leaders, as he attempts to rebuild the Liberal Party in WA. There was no political fundraising and it was not an official function organised by the Liberals as part of Mr Dutton’s visit to Perth with his shadow cabinet. In his valedictory speech in March, Mr Porter hit out at the “mob” he said came after him when he was accused of a historical rape which he vehemently denies. Mr Porter, who is now working as a criminal lawyer in Perth, told Parliament of his pride at working alongside “my good friend Peter Dutton”, who supported him during his scandal-plagued year. “I can’t mention them all, but (Channel 10 journalist) Peter van Onselen and Peter Dutton, knowing the risks better than any two people could possibly know the risks, stated plain, public support for me while the mob was in its full fury,” he said in the speech. “I’ve got to say, they were acts of courage that will stay with me for the rest of my life.” The Liberals recorded their worst election results in WA, losing five seats in Perth, including Mr Porter’s former electorate of Pearce with the biggest two-party-preferred swing in the country. In March, when he was still defence minister , Mr Dutton appointed Mr Keenan as a member of the Council of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Mr Dutton spent Thursday morning at the Hyatt Regency Perth for a breakfast event with the party’s State leader David Honey, deputy Libby Mettam and around 50 Liberal members and supporters. He told those in attendance that he viewed Queensland and WA as critical to the Coalition’s prospects at the 2025 election and intended to frequently visit the west. Mr Dutton fielded questions from the audience before spending time meeting one-on-one with Mr Honey. “(Mr Dutton) has got a big focus on WA, that was apparent from the meeting this morning,” Mr Honey said. “We’re going to be facing two elections in 2025 and we discussed how we would work together to make sure we maximise the effectiveness of the State campaign and the Federal campaign leading into that election.” He then flew to the Pilbara and spent the afternoon meeting with business and community leaders before travelling back to the east coast.