Peter Dutton elected new Australian opposition leader

Sydney, Australia, May 30 (EFE).- Former Defense Minister Peter Dutton was Monday appointed leader of the opposition in Australia after elections earlier this month ended nine years of his Liberal Party government.

Dutton, a legislator for two decades who has held various ministries in successive governments of the Liberal-National coalition, will replace former Prime Minister Scott Morrison as the party leader.

The Liberals also elected Sussan Ley, a former environment minister, as the party’s second-in-command to replace ex-treasury minister Josh Frydenberg, who lost his seat in the May 21 election.

The National Party, a minority party in the coalition, chose David Littleproud as its new leader.

The Labor Party of new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defeated the Liberal-National coalition in the polls even as it is still unknown if the party can govern alone.

The Australian Electoral Commission is still counting the votes.

On Monday, Labor was still away from the magic number of 76 seats in the house of 151 members of the Australian parliament.

The Green Party, the third largest Australian political outfit, has won four seats.

Albanese has said he would work with independents if Labor cannot reach a majority. EFE

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