Lack of detail Dutton Launches Much to Do About Nothing campaign

You might remember the relentless scrutiny that Peter Dutton applied during the Voice referendum regarding Labor’s proposal. He would challenge the Prime Minister each day, demanding more specifics when many felt the key points were already apparent. Like Tony Abbott or Donald Trump, Dutton seems poised to adopt a campaign strategy that embraces a lack of detail in the upcoming election. He plans to present broad, sweeping outlines of potential policies and actions he might pursue in office rather than delving into the intricacies and specifics many voters desire.

A prime example of the shortcomings in leadership is Peter Dutton’s vague and often frustrating approach to nuclear policy, which raises more questions than it answers. The most effective leaders possess a vast reservoir of accurate information, readily available for reference at any moment. John Howard exemplified this quality, as did Kim Beazley and Peter Costello. In recent times, however, there have been few who can match this standard. Julia Gillard stood out for her sharp insights, while Kevin Rudd’s exceptionally agile mind distinguished him from his peers. Anthony Albanese, in particular, demonstrates an extraordinary ability to recall even the slightest of details; a skill honed during his tenure as Minister for Infrastructure, where he developed an almost uncanny depth of knowledge.

It is precisely in this area that Peter Dutton is likely to struggle. During the frenetic pace of an election campaign, when rapid-fire questions bombard a candidate at their most vulnerable, his lack of depth in detail will become apparent. In politics, it is always the meticulous attention to detail that can make or break a leader.

Albanese hit the road running soon after the Christmas dinner table had been cleared and the crockery put away.

In response to a typical Jacinta Price sarcasm, the Prime Minister replied:

“Jacinta Price wasn’t there on Christmas Day at the 50th anniversary of the commemoration of Cyclone Tracy. That was a significant event. I was there in the Northern Territory from [the] 23rd until Christmas Day. This visit will be my 12th visit to the Northern Territory. More visits than the three Liberal prime ministers who preceded me [to] the Northern Territory over their almost decade in office.”

High in detail.

Albanese was quick out of the blocks. Soon after everyone had exchanged gifts, the kiddies were laughing, and a few too many drinks were exchanged around the BBQ, Albanese assured us that:

“This election is a choice between building Australia’s future or taking Australia backwards.”

As the quiet moments of the new year unfolded, the 2025 Election commenced with fervour and purpose. A pivotal scene emerged as the Prime Minister undertook visits to two states grappling with significant challenges, along with the remote Northern Territory. Significantly, the Labor leader positioned himself on the front foot, energetically campaigning in Queensland – a vital battleground where the government clings to five out of thirty lower house seats.

His campaign trail led him to the Cairns-based electorate of Leichhardt, a key focus for Labor in light of the anticipated retirement of veteran Liberal MP Warren Entsch. With hopes of reclaiming this seat, he also targeted other Coalition-held regions along the picturesque Sunshine Coast and in the bustling city of Rockhampton. The journey took him through the Labor-secured seat of Lingiari in the rugged outback of the Northern Territory before he crossed into Western Australia, where his party had made significant gains in the previous 2022 election, capturing four seats.

Amidst this whirlwind of activity, the Labor leader made his first significant pledge of the campaign – a bold commitment to allocate a substantial $7.2 billion in government funding to revitalise the Bruce Highway. This announcement resonated deeply, highlighting the government’s focus on infrastructure. He also vowed to finally conclude the transition of the National Broadband Network from aging copper lines to fibre optic technology, aiming to rectify the shortcomings that had plagued the previous administrations since Tony Abbott. The stakes were high, and the campaign was only beginning.

Dutton by contrast

Dutton emerged from a long yawn to play catch-up politics on Sunday, 12 January, to launch the Coalition’s unofficial election campaign.

During a 38-minute hastily put-together address at a rally in Melbourne, he depicted the forthcoming election as a pivotal “sliding doors moment” for the future of Australia. At this event, he unveiled the Coalition’s rallying cry, “Let’s get Australia back on track,” which resonated with the audience eager for detail. Alongside this slogan, Dutton introduced a new brochure that detailed twelve key governing priorities designed to steer the country in a different direction. In his speech, he strongly criticised the current Labor government, labelling it one of the most “incompetent governments” Australia has ever seen (after only three years, he had forgotten his own) and described the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as among the weakest in the nation’s history.

The Coalition’s slogan will compete with Albanese’s “Building Australia’s future,” which he promoted during his recent campaign in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.

So, with little detail, Dutton launched his Much to Do About Nothing campaign.

Michelle Grattan wrote about Dutton’s launch:

“What it wasn’t, though, was detailed. The specifics of what a Dutton government would do, and how it would do it, remain unclear.”

He is providing us with more evidence of his political DNA. It is not a pretty picture but an expected one. The information you require is available. Ask Google.

When the election begins in earnest, and voters have to pay attention to it, there’ll be greater scrutiny of Dutton, and voters will ask themselves two things. One, does this government deserve re-election? And two, if not, will the other bloke do a better job?

My thought for the day

The right to vote is the gift our democracy gives. Suppose political parties (and media barons, for that matter) choose by their actions to destroy the people’s faith in democracy’s principles and conventions. In that case, they are destroying the very thing that enables them to exist.

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites like The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969