Peter Dutton confirms father’s heart attack before leaders debate

Dutton said that he considered pulling out of the debate after hearing the news that his father, Bruce Dutton, had suffered a heart attack shortly before the debate with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

There were reports last night following the debate about his father’s heart attack, however, it had not been confirmed until this morning.

“We just wanted to check in to see if your old man was okay, because we did hear something last night that he had a heart attack just before the debate… is everything okay,” host Fitzy asked.

“He’s good. I spoke to him this morning. He’s 80 this year,” Dutton said.

“He’s a great man. He’s stoic and he’s a tough old bugger. So he’ll be fine.

“I thought, do I pull out of the debate? But… my sisters were up there with him and giving me regular reports, which was good, he’s a great man, and I love him very much.”

Dutton and Albanese went head to head in the leader’s debate, discussing topics including Medicare, cost-of-living and fuel.

Albanese was declared the winner of the debate, from 100 voters in the audience, 44 went for the prime minister, 35 for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and 21 remained undecided.

The pair will have a second debate on the ABC next Wednesday night.