'No one knows the real Peter': shock and dismay rock Coalition faithful in historic defeat

It's a common theme among the party faithful gathered at the Coalition election night party in Brisbane, where the outgoing Opposition Leader has conceded defeat.

Mr Dutton arrived at 9.30pm shortly after the result was called, accepting defeat after phoning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ali France, the new Labor member for Dickson.

"Ali and I have been combatants for a number of elections but she was successful in Dickson tonight, and she will do a good job as a local member," he told the gathered crowd of supporters who had cheered him onto the stage.

"We didn't do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that."

He thanked his staff and his family, encircled by wife Kirilly and children Harry, Tom and Rebecca as he wished Ms France "all the very best".

Mr Dutton revealed he had told Mr Albanese "that his mum would be incredibly proud of his achievement tonight."

It was a gracious speech and one that aligned with what those close to Mr Dutton say about his character, painting a picture at odds with his public image.

"No one knows the real Peter Dutton," Liberal Party member Sharyn Merrin told The Canberra Times.

Ms Merrin, who lives in the Dickson electorate and campaigned for Mr Dutton dressed in a Wonderwoman-inspired outfit, said he had been subjected to an unfair campaign and praised him for his election commitment to tackle domestic violence.

The shock loss of Dickson, which few expected despite Mr Dutton's seat being the most marginal in Queensland, took time to sink in for the party faithful on Saturday night.

As the ABC and then Sky News and others called the result, declaring that Mr Dutton had lost the election, attendees initially remained upbeat - even as the news filtered through that he had also been ejected from the Parliament.

But when the Labor victory lap began and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's triumphant voice boomed from television screens mounted overhead, the crowd booed.

Mr Dutton spent the last few days of his campaign projecting confidence, declaring that the Coalition would win this election in a 2019-style upset and brushing aside suggestions he could lose his seat - despite Mr Albanese talking up Labor's prospects.

On Saturday morning, when asked what he would do if the Coalition lost the election, he said he had "a burning passion for this country" and wanted to contribute to make it "even better."

"I've just worked really hard over the last three years," he told Nine.

After Mr Dutton had left the Coalition election party, former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott addressed reporters, saying the Opposition Leader had been marred by voters' unwillingness to ditch a first-term government.

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"Peter gave it his all," Mr Abbott said.

"He's entitled to be extremely proud of his public service to our nation, but it seems the Australian people weren't ready to break the century-old habit of giving first-term governments a second chance."

The comments echoed those made by Coalition spokesperson James Paterson earlier in the evening.

Before the result was known, Senator Paterson said the Coalition was "up against history", with no government having lost after one term in more than 100 years - a comment that seemed designed to manage expectations.

With the 2025 result now inscribed in the history books, Mr Abbott turned to the future, declaring the Liberals would fight on.

"If the Coalition can create a clear contest and a strong contrast over the next term, we certainly can be competitive and give Australia the best possible government."