Peter Dutton – the man who wants to be prime minister – has shown a noticeable inclination towards adopting some aspects of Donald Trump’s political style and policies, particularly in the context of populism and certain right-wing rhetoric. Here’s how this influence can be observed based on what we know:

Populist Tactics and Rhetoric

Both Trump and Dutton have been criticised for employing populist strategies. Dutton has often been accused of “copying” Trump’s tactics, especially in how they address issues like immigration, cultural identity and economic policies. Posts on X and elsewhere have suggested that Dutton’s approach to these issues mirror Trump’s, focusing on appealing to working-class voters by contrasting with what they term as “elite” or “woke” agendas.

Policy Alignment

Immigration and Border Control: Dutton’s hardline stance on immigration and border security echoes Trump’s policies. Discussions around reducing net migration and implementing stricter border controls in Australia reflect similar themes to Trump’s “Build the Wall” rhetoric in the U.S.

(However, is it a case of Dutton being like Trump, or Trump being like Dutton? In 2019 Trump declared there was much to learn from Australia’s policies on ‘illegal immigration’ and is believed to be the inspiration behind the locking up of refugee children at the border during his first presidency.)

Economic Policies: There’s an indication that Dutton might be looking at Trump’s economic policies, particularly around tax cuts for businesses and reducing regulatory burdens. For instance, proposals to cut government spending and introduce policies aimed at “government efficiency” have parallels with Trump’s deregulation efforts.

Cultural and Social Issues: Dutton’s criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the public sector seems to take a leaf out of Trump’s “playbook”, where such programs were targeted for being “woke” or unnecessary. This has been highlighted in various news articles and social media sites where Dutton’s moves are described as emulating Trump’s executive actions against DEI.

Political Strategy

Dutton’s approach to political campaigning, including his narrative around being a protector of traditional values against progressive policies, closely aligns with the strategies Trump has employed. This includes an emphasis on cultural wars which resonate with certain voter bases, as seen in comments about being tough on crime, immigration, and what is often framed as “political correctness.”

Public and Political Reaction

While there’s a segment of the Australian electorate that might find these tactics appealing there’s also significant criticism. Posts on social media and articles from various news sources suggest that while this strategy might win over some conservative voters (racists and climate change deniers are a couple of examples that are gaining traction), it could alienate others, particularly women and centrist voters, who are less receptive to this style of politics.

Electoral Implications

The influence of Trump’s policies on Dutton’s political strategy could be seen as an attempt to galvanize a core conservative base. However, the effectiveness of this strategy in the Australian political context, which differs significantly from the U.S., remains debated. Dutton’s approach might not have the same “charisma” or broad appeal as Trump’s, as noted in some social media commentary.

The final word

While Peter Dutton has clearly taken cues from Donald Trump, particularly in terms of policy direction and political rhetoric, the extent of this influence is measured by both the adoption of policies and strategies and the reception of these moves by the Australian public and political landscape. The influence is evident but also contentious, potentially affecting Dutton’s appeal across different voter demographics.

Exclusions

Peter Dutton will draw the line at hitting countries with tariffs, abolishing the Dept of Education, levelling war zones and turning them into resorts (that one’s now 50/50), buying countries, giving billionaire friends access to government systems, putting an anti-vaxxer in charge of health, building a wall and continually demanding to lock a lady up.

 

Also by Michael Taylor:

Peter Dutton’s plan to sack 36,000 public servants comes at a cost

Trump’s America: It could get worse

 

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