Friday, 29 Mar 2024

Peter Dutton’s formula is a bit less culture war, a lot less religion, and more traditional Liberal policies | Katharine Murphy

Peter Dutton’s formula is a bit less culture war, a lot less religion, and more traditional Liberal policies | Katharine Murphy


Peter Dutton’s formula is a bit less culture war, a lot less religion, and more traditional Liberal policies | Katharine Murphy

Peter Dutton is a blunt instrument and sometimes blunt has its benefits. On Monday, reporters didn't have to parse any weasel words. The new Liberal leader made his thoughts about the next three years very clear.

Dutton thinks Anthony Albanese is going to blow the coming term in government by becoming caught in the crosshairs of the progressive parliament the Australian people voted for on 21 May.

As well as parliament dragging the new prime minister left, Dutton thinks events will work against Albanese - rising inflation, rising interest rates, high petrol prices, geopolitical instability. Up until the election, voters blamed the Coalition for these things. Now Australians will blame Labor.

Dutton thinks the pathway back to government is through the outer suburbs and regions - and he thinks his personal, tough-guy-made-good political brand will be a plus in those kinds of contests because aspirational working people will feel a cultural affinity with him.

He clearly thinks there are Labor seats ripe for flipping now the Liberal party has dumped its main barrier to entry - Scott Morrison.

The new Liberal leader, let's call him Mr Relentless, believes he can neutralise the voter backlash about an absent federal integrity commission by supporting one in the new parliament, preferably Helen Haines's version, just to give Labor administrative heartburn.

Mr Relentless also thinks his deputy, Liberal Sussan Ley, can first work out, and then sort out, whatever it is Australian women are cranky about now they don't have to be triggered by looking at Morrison every day. Ley made a point in her opening statement of saying she understood some women were unable to vote for the Liberal party in 2022 and she'd be out and about listening to them.

you may also like

Jacob Zuma Fast Facts
  • by cnn
  • 29 Mar 2024
Jacob Zuma Fast Facts
Vatican Fast Facts
  • by cnn
  • 29 Mar 2024
Vatican Fast Facts
Jacob Zuma Fast Facts
Vatican Fast Facts
Resort Casinos Likely Scuttled Under Amended Bermuda Legislation
  • by travelpulse
  • descember 09, 2016
Resort Casinos Likely Scuttled Under Amended Bermuda Legislation

Premier announces changes to long-delayed project

read more