As politicians Peter Dutton and Donald Trump share a number of similarities, among them their styles, rhetoric, and policy approaches. These parallels are often highlighted in discussions about populism, conservative leadership, and divisive political strategies. The similarities are so stark that some observers have labelled Dutton as “Temu Trump”, which I take as referring to Dutton being a cheaper version of the current president. Ouch.
Let’s look at how Dutton earned that endearing moniker. What political similarities do they share:
Both leaders have embraced populist tactics, positioning themselves as champions of “ordinary citizens” against perceived corrupt or out-of-touch “elites.” Dutton has mirrored Trump’s approach by criticising “big business” and “woke” agendas, as seen in his rhetoric about the Liberal Party being the “friend of the worker” rather than the party of corporate interests. Similarly, Trump has long campaigned against the “Washington swamp” and corporate “wokeness,” appealing to working-class voters with promises to disrupt the status quo.
Immigration is a central theme for both. Trump’s political rise was fueled by hardline stances, such as his proposed “Muslim ban” and border wall, while Dutton has advocated for policies like banning refugees from Gaza and slashing Australia’s permanent migration by 25%. Both frame immigration as a national security issue, often using it to stoke fear and division, a tactic critics argue echoes Trump’s playbook.
Dutton and Trump have proposed policies that appeal to economic discontent while maintaining conservative roots. Trump floated ideas like capping credit card interest rates at 10%, while Dutton has suggested breaking up supermarket and hardware monopolies to address cost-of-living concerns. These moves deviate from traditional conservative deference to big business, aligning with a populist shift to win over working-class voters.
Both leaders have targeted progressive cultural trends. Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the U.S. find a parallel in Dutton’s pledge to scale back “culture, diversity, and inclusion” roles in Australia’s public service. Dutton has also criticized the proliferation of Welcome to Country ceremonies, much like Trump’s disdain for political correctness, appealing to voters frustrated by social change.
Each cultivates an image of decisive, tough leadership. Trump’s bombastic style and promises to “drain the swamp” resonate with Dutton’s “tough cop” persona, rooted in his background as a police officer, and his hardline positions on issues like nuclear power and antisemitism. Both appeal to voters seeking a break from perceived weak or indecisive governance.
Dutton’s campaign slogan “Let’s Get Australia Back on Track” echoes Trump’s “Make America Great Again,” signaling a nostalgic appeal to restore a perceived lost golden age. Dutton has also adopted Trump-inspired ideas, such as creating a “government efficiency” portfolio, akin to Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk, reflecting a shared focus on slashing bureaucracy.
Critics accuse both of deliberately polarising their electorates. Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric on race, gender, and elections has a counterpart in Dutton’s history of controversial statements – like claiming Victorians feared African gangs – and his willingness to exploit issues like Gaza for political gain. This divisiveness is seen as a strength among their bases but a risk in broader elections.
Despite these similarities, context matters. Australia’s compulsory voting and preferential system temper extremism compared to the U.S., and Dutton lacks Trump’s personal flamboyance or cult-like following. Dutton also diverges on issues like free trade (which he supports) and climate policy (maintaining a net-zero commitment), where Trump has taken more radical stances. Still, the parallels in their populist, anti-establishment, and tough-on-borders approaches are striking.
References
Donald Trump and Peter Dutton have both embraced populism. Are working-class voters buying it?, David Smith, The Conversation
Down Under Trump: A populist imitating the American president could become Australia’s new prime minister, Rustam Alexander, The Insider
The Muslim Ban and Trump’s War on Immigration, Louise Cainkar, Middle East Research and Information Project
Peter Dutton promises to slash permanent migration by 25% in short term in populist budget reply, Paul Karp, The Guardian
Trump Floats Long-Shot Proposal for 10% Cap on Credit-Card Rates, Angel Au-Yeung, The Wall Street Journal
Dutton push to break supermarket duopoly, Max Opray, The Saturday Paper
DEI explained: What is DEI and why is it so divisive? What you need to know, Jessica Guynn, USA Today
Mirroring Trump, Peter Dutton takes aim at diversity and inclusion workforce, Jacob Greber, ABC News
Australia’s opposition leader unveils Trump-oriented shadow cabinet reshuffle, Mike Head, World Socialist Web Site
We watched 20 Trump rallies. His racist, anti-immigrant messaging is getting darker, Myah Ward, Politico
See also: Elect Peter Dutton, get a mini Trump
Dear reader, we need your support
Independent sites such as 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
I took the time to tune into SKY after Dark the other evening – I know, you only get one life why would you waste time with SAD – but it gives an insight into how the Murdoch political machine is throwing its resources and energies behind a Coalition win in the forthcoming election.
From Andrew Bolt, Paul Murray , Rowan Dean, Rita Panahi and a variety of other presenters and ‘experts’ whose names I don’t recognise, it is relentless hate for the Albanese government but, surprisingly, little affection for Dutton.
The Murdoch media empire clearly want Labor out of office but they are not necessarily warming to Dutton and it’s not clear who they see as a worthy successor.
All SKY presenters are absolutely in thrall with Donald Trump and his policies and this can’t be a coincidence. Surely they must have received a directive from the Dirty Digger in New York to show only admiration and love for the Trumper : it’s really rather sad that these people, reliant on Rupert’s largesse for their income, would so easily sell their souls and their fundamental integrity as human beings to this false profit.
I promise not to watch SKY again, it’s not healthy : it causes tinea of the eyeballs !
They might “suggest” and “float ideas”, but they won’t actually do any of it. And woe betide the voter who believes and trusts them.
leefe, I would have preferred to say “brain farts” or “thought bubbles”.
T Mills notes his Sty observations, where the brainless and gutless squeak on about being heartless for Merde Dog. I “passed” Sty in a motel situation, long ago, and nearly gagged, in the short time, at the lies and twists and exaggerations. A Bloated bearded nobody spouted on with pontifical assurance, eternal self confidence and yet no intellect apparent. Never again…The world must cop a drenching of aural faecality as such, criminal. But, we are buggered by imperious media and corporate controls…
Dutton is the most unappealing (Australian) political leader I can recall, and he is at the outer edge of a right wing philosophy.
Trump is the most unappealing (elected) politician I have seen. He has no political philosophy. He is motivated only by his ugly bigotry , his narcissism, his ego, his self agrandissement.
Trump is unabatedly chaotic and erratic. The share market doesn’t even believe he is acting in the interests of the business community.
But added the shame of Dutton is his ruling out of sending peace keepers to Ukraine. In this respect Dutton has placed himself firmly in the Trump camp.
@Leefe:
IMHO the problem is that the voter “who believes and trusts” the LNP will be gulled by its promises in default of proactive, positive, convincing campaigns by Labor, Greens, & Independents.
It seems also that aside from those industries likely to be directly impacted by Trump’s tantrum tariffs the broader community is not overly concerned about US politics, and has no sense of its implications for Australia.
This political moment in Australia is thus reminiscent of the Democrats’ post-Biden campaign to the extent it was based upon the assumption the American MAGA voters not only understood the meaning of democracy, but gave a damn about its preservation.
Still, never say die – Rosswell’s thoroughgoing piece has prompted a idea for a 2-column list of fact-checked similarities between the two nasties for letter-boxing round the neighbourhood when the time comes.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW, IT’S TIME TO SAY NO.
At least Deadeyes Dud doesn’t wear a wig or paint his face orange…
Sitting in the customer’s lounge earlier this morning at the car service centre, one of the few places where I’m exposed to a TV that’s on and not within my capacity to turn off, I noticed former Fox News talking head Tucker Carlson spruiking the benefits of sucking up to billionaires because ‘they’re important people who have serious ideas,’… why, I wondered, was this American shill appearing on local TV… only for the text to pop up after he spoke, indicating it was a Clive Palmer promo. Ruck me fancid, that things have sunk to these depths. As a general rule, I never watch TV, and I would unhesitatingly recommend that approach to all & sundry, under most circumstances.
The Guardian this morning had an article on the love fest between Dutton and Gina Rinehart. Add to that his fund raisers with other billionaires, yes, he is a mini rump, and equally dangerous.
The politics of hate, the pandering to those wigth the most and looking back on his and the Libs record in heir last role as holding the keys to the treasury, definitely not at all interested in those who don’t have lots of money.
How can any thinking person even consider voting for Dutton and his party…
Rather odd press conference from the Liberals this morning – Dutton, James Paterson and Michaelia Cash going on about rampant corruption within the CFMEU and linking the ALP to bribery and criminality.
I’m aware that the CFMEU is currently under the control of an Administrator, Mark Irving KC. The scheme of the administration was put in place in August 2024 so how can all this corruption be going on or is this the Liberal’s latest pathetic beat-up ?
Parasitic pustulehead Dutton, a notorious Rorter, Bludger, Corruption teat sucker, extractor, taker, has complained about ALP and Union togetherness. He knows no truth, fact, history, custom, except the conservative customs of bludgeryextractional donor dickery. What FILTH we have in this unqualified loudmouthed parasitic low grade idiot! More brains in a can of petfood…
Terry,
The course of rampant and destructive corruption that LNP has been following for years is far more important to expose than that of the CFMEU which the Spud is currently foaming at the mouth about. It’s, as usual, a distraction tactic to try and move attention away from the policy vaccuum and talentless arseholes that make up the LNP.
There’s a strong possibility that Petunia Rinehart will have to find a brand new bumboy in a couple of months.
Dutton’s policies, if any, are as fake as Trump’s hair.
Curiouser and curiouser : Peter Dutton has pledged $35million to restore Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue after it was firebombed in December. This is despite the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) having previously stated that the synagogue was fully insured.
This generosity is not evidently coming from the Liberal Party and is contingent on the coalition winning government in the upcoming election – so it will be a taxpayer gift.
Dutton made this pledge alongside Liberal Goldstein candidate Tim Wilson who hopes to win back the seat after he lost it to Teal independent Zoe Daniel in 2022.
Dutton also pledged to give the ECAJ $32.5m for security operations, like funding armed guards at schools and synagogues.
This smacks of desperation on the part of Dutton and whilst I have no problems with the Liberal Party using their own funds I do find it strange that the taxpayer is being called on to fund this largesse which some might suggest is vote buying.
https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/politics/dutton-pledges-35m-to-restore-firebombed-adass-israel-synagogue-in-melbourne/news-story/0b6e2098389c415b3b0fda50c6d9b5b9
It’s more than a suggestion Terry,it’s Dutton’s desperation screaming.He’s rooted, and so is that ludicrous little nonentity Wilson.Expecting to win back any Teal seats is a fantasy.
Harry Lime- Amelia Hamer (the Liberal candidate for Kooyong) knocked on my door today.
I let her know that Dutton is a most unattractive leader and that his opposition to providing peace keepers in Ukraine had further poisoned the reputation of the Liberal Party. Also that I’d vote ALP.
But I wouldn’t rule her out of winning
She is certainly more approachable than Freudenberg and will appeal to the demographic that has previously voted for (the Kooyong Teal) Monique Ryan.
The Liberals would do well by choosing more candidates like her than recycling tired, repetitive men like Wilson . We can be certain that he won’t defeat Zoe Daniel, who (unlike Monique Ryan), answers questions
And both are of limited education which makes them hate the “elites” (which you can readily translate to mean ‘persons of greater education and intelligence than myself) and makes them desperate to identify with those they consider less intelligent than themselves.