Peter Dutton’s father rushed to hospital after suffering heart attack ahead of first Federal election debate

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has taken the stage at the first Federal election leaders debate, after only moments earlier learning his father, Bruce, had suffered a heart attack.

The medical emergency came just hours before the Liberal leader’s face off with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the People’s Forum in Western Sydney.

The Opposition Leader was informed about the medical incident just minutes before the debate kicked off. Mr Dutton’s father has been taken to hospital and is currently in a serious condition.

Mr Dutton’s 79-year-old father, Bruce, was a bricklayer who inspired the Opposition Leader to get into the property market.

The policeman bought, renovated and sold a dozen properties with his father — including three childcare centres — between 1992 and 2006.

Mr Dutton’s wife Kirilly worked alongside Bruce as a director in the childcare businesses.

Politicians have began sending their well wishes to the Dutton family, with Nationals Senator Matt Caravan sending his “thoughts and prayers” to the Dutton family moments after the news broke that Bruce had been rushed to hospital.

In a video to social media earlier today, Mr Dutton said he was ready for the debate and wanted to use the platform to outline the Liberal plan to get Australia “back on track”.

“This is a really important debate, and a really important election for our country,” he said from the green room of the debate site.

“There is a lot of economic uncertainty and a lot of families who have been really hurt under this government.”