Peter Dutton reveals secret health condition after 'Voldemort' slur
The man in line for the Liberal leadership has revealed a secret medical condition while hitting back at Government comments about his hairline.
Peter Dutton was forced to defend his looks on Thursday after a snide remark from Labor MP Tanya Plibersek.
“I think there will be a lot of children who have watched a lot of Harry Potter films who will be very frightened of what they are seeing on TV at night, that's for sure,” she told Brisbane radio station 4BC.
“I am saying he looks a bit like Voldemort.”
Mr Dutton has since revealed that he is “not bald by choice".
“I was diagnosed with a skin condition a couple of years ago, which is just a reality of getting older as well,” he told Sydney radio station 2GB.
“So you know, I’m not the prettiest bloke on the block, but I’m going to be pretty effective.”
Mr Dutton, who’s the only runner for the top Liberal job, added that Ms Plibersek has since apologised.
“Look, it’s water off a duck’s back,” he said.
“You read all that sort of stuff online, in the sewer of Twitter all the time, and I think it’s unfortunate.”
“But you know, she’s apologised for that. I just don’t think you need to be nasty and mean.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also responded to Ms Plibersek’s remark, saying it is “unacceptable".
"So I think that in politics we need to treat each other with respect, and I think that’s important, Tanya recognises that which is why she apologised," he said on Sky News on Thursday.
Dutton's run for Liberal leadership
Mr Dutton officially threw his hat into the ring for the Liberal leadership on Thursday in the wake of Scott Morrison’s hasty exit.
The Member for Dickson and former policeman has a wide range of experience having held the portfolios of defence, home affairs, health, finance, assistant treasurer, sport and employment.
In putting himself forward for the top job, Mr Dutton promised to bring the fractured wings of the Liberal Party together.
“We aren’t the ‘Moderate Party’. We aren’t ‘Conservative Party’. We are the Liberals,” he said.
“We believe in families, whatever their composition. Small and micro businesses. For aspirational hard-working ‘forgotten people’ across cities, suburbs, regions and in the bush.”
If he takes on the top role, he will be the first leader of the Liberal Party from Queensland since it was established in 1944.
NSW MP Sussan Ley has been pegged as favourite to be Mr Dutton’s deputy.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
