The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Dutton’s 2025 launch still leaves voters needing answers on key policies

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra



Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s Sunday “soft launch” of his campaign for election year was carefully calibrated to pitch to the party faithful while seeking to project enough nuance to avoid alienating centrist voters.

It contained nothing new – there was no attention-catching big announcement to start the year.

Rather, this was Dutton (re)introducing himself (“I was born into an outer suburbs working-class family”) with a back story focusing on aspiration; canvassing Coalition priorities and policy offerings to date, and delivering the usual critique of Labor’s alleged incompetence and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s “weak” leadership.

“Weak leaders create hard times – but strong leaders create better times. And the next federal election is a sliding doors moment for our nation,” Dutton told his handpicked Melbourne audience. “A returned Labor government – in majority or minority – will see setbacks set in stone.”

Tony Barry, a one-time Liberal advisor who is now with Redbridge political consultancy, says: “In our research the biggest differentiated but salient leadership attribute between the two contestants [Dutton and Albanese] is strength and weakness. Dutton has a huge lead on perceived strength versus the perceived weakness of Albanese.

"So he’s framing his campaign around that attribute. But it’s important he also uses shared values to demonstrate other leadership attributes – trust, empathy, vision and hope.”

Barry also says it’s vital in appealing to “soft” (that is, undecided) voters to make clear the contest involves a choice, which Dutton played up on Sunday with the “sliding doors” reference.

A man who often appears two-dimensional and sometimes sounds extreme, Dutton in his address sought to present tonally as rounded and reasonable, while giving plenty to his base, including his stress on the importance of “coming together under our one flag”.

In outlining his credo, Dutton declared he believed, among other things, in egalitarianism, individual freedom, the rule of law and “in pushing back on identity politics”.

He also tried directly to counter what will be a sharp point of Labor attack in the campaign – his record as health minister in the Abbott government.

“As health minister, I created the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund and increased hospital funding. Indeed, bulk billing was 84% under me compared to 77% today.” After the speech, the government was quickly out to remind us that Dutton had tried to introduce a co-payment for people to see their GP.

There were some neat lines in the address. “Mr Albanese says ‘this election is about the future versus the past’. I think the past three years are a good indication of what the future will look like under a returned Labor government.”

And, “with Labor acting like an opposition in government, we’ve acted like a government in opposition.”

There was also some wild, inaccurate exaggeration. Condemning the surge of antisemitism in Australia, Dutton claimed, “every incident of antisemitism can be traced back to the prime minister’s dereliction of leadership in response to the sordid events on the steps of the Sydney Opera House”.

It was notable Dutton chose Victoria for the event. Two years ago he was routinely described as being “toxic” in that state. Now Liberal sources say things have changed – there are still challenges with him there but he is more palatable.

The Victorian state Liberals have been a shambles, however, in the wake of the extraordinary Moira Deeming affair, culminating in the state party replacing its leader just before Christmas. Liberals worry about the preparedness of the Victorian party organisation ahead of the federal battle.

Nevertheless, the Liberals are in a serious hunt for seats in Victoria, hoping to capitalise on the unpopularity of the state Labor government. That unpopularity will be tested in a February 8 state byelection in the Labor seat of Werribee.

One Liberal target is Chisholm, where Sunday’s event was held. Chisholm was lost in 2022 by Gladys Liu, a Liberal MP of Chinese heritage. The Liberals this time are running Katie Allen, former MP for Higgins, who was also defeated in 2022.

A group of people wearing matching blue political t-shirts
The party faithful gathered in the seat of Chisolm for the campaign Diego Fedele/AAP[1]

Allen was set for another tilt in Higgins but the seat was abolished in the redistribution. She then replaced the male candidate who’d been nominated for Chisholm. Labor holds the seat on a 3.3% margin.

One question is how the large Chinese vote will go. Labor claims the reservations about Dutton among Chinese-Australians are as strong as they were about Scott Morrison.

Dutton will likely be pleased enough with his Sunday outing. But the reality is in the cliche, “the devil is in the detail”, on which he gave nothing fresh.

During the Voice referendum Dutton constantly complained the government wouldn’t give enough detail, or that the detail didn’t stand up. Much the same can be said of key policies Dutton is putting forward for the coming election.

The modelling for his nuclear plan has been dismissed by many well-qualified critics. His initiatives on the housing crisis hold no guarantee of delivering the number of homes needed in the time required. There are well-founded doubts over seeming inconsistencies in his immigration plans.

Dutton keeps promising more answers later, but at some point this will start to look like a ploy for concealing the vacuums that need filling with finer print.

Meanwhile, we are still waiting for him to announce his reshuffled frontbench, including a new shadow foreign minister, that was expected before Christmas. Here he has the choice of doing some patch-ups – adding vacant portfolios to the responsibilities of existing shadows – or making more substantive changes that he would expect to take into government if he won the election.

References

  1. ^ Diego Fedele/AAP (photos.aap.com.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-duttons-2025-launch-still-leaves-voters-needing-answers-on-key-policies-247193

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...