Wyatt blames Dutton’s ‘culture wars’ obsession

Former Liberal minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has blamed Peter Dutton’s obsession with culture wars as a major factor to the Coalitions Federal election defeat.

“To be divisive on a cultural and socio-economic group that lives with disadvantage is not the way in which you lead a country,” Mr Wyatt told the ABC.

“It is about statesman-like leadership; it is about looking at what is good for all within our nation.

“Doubling down on cultural wars, including ethnic minorities in Australia, in respect to particular issues in capital cities, is not the way you bring people forward.”

Mr Wyatt then said many would have been offended by Dutton’s critical views on the Welcome to Country row that came about after the Anzac Day heckling.

“I previously said that of the 60 per cent of Australians who voted no in the referendum because of the way it was managed, do not abandon their support for Indigenous reform and change,” he said.

Mr Wyatt likened some of the rhetoric “Trumpian” and added he was yet to be convinced the former leader had learned lessons in the approach to Indigenous affairs.

Another leading Aboriginal Liberal, Warren Mundine, said the Coalition should have focused on there cost of living.

“One of the sad things about this election was, it’s probably the first time that I’ve seen a federal election in decades where Aboriginal affairs was not front-and-centre,” he said.