Peter Dutton has outlined key policies heading into the election including public service cuts, nuclear power investment, migration reductions, and housing initiatives, yet the details of each remain murky due to his strategy of deferring specifics until closer to the election.
Nonetheless his flagship policies have sparked debate even if they lack hard data and public buy-in is thin. But regardless of “Peter Dutton says nothing” do they appeal to those that count: voters. Let’s take a look:
Public Service Cuts
Dutton’s pledge to slash 36,000 jobs (framed as cutting “wasteful” spending) lacks detailed costings, drawing criticism for opacity. Labor argues it’ll hurt services, and posts on social media suggest voter unease about vague cuts impacting frontline support. No polls directly test this, but it’s a potential vulnerability if voters prioritise service delivery over fiscal trimming.
Nuclear Power
His push for seven government-owned nuclear plants has polarised opinions, with some experts calling it costly and impractical. Public acceptance hinges on cost and safety concerns – unresolved without Coalition modeling.
Migration and Housing
Plans to cut permanent migration by 25% (to 140,000 for two years) and ban foreign investors from buying existing homes aim to ease housing pressure. A superannuation withdrawal scheme (up to $50,000 for first homes) targets younger voters. These might resonate with cost-of-living angst, but skepticism lingers over feasibility. No clear public verdict exists yet.
Medicare and Mental Health
Restoring 20 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions (from 10) has bipartisan appeal – suggesting public support, though it’s not uniquely Dutton’s win.
Public Sentiment and Media Critique
Media articles reflect a public still weighing Dutton’s offerings. The Sydney Morning Herald (February 9, 2025) calls his policies “ridiculous but memorable,” contrasting them with Labor’s substantive agenda. The Guardian (January 13, 2025) notes Dutton taps into voter “anxiety and pessimism,” but his solutions risk deepening discontent if seen as recycled or risky (e.g., nuclear). Some on X (too many to include here) decry his Trump-like rhetoric (e.g., targeting diversity roles) and thin policy detail, while others see his focus on economic pain as a vote-winner.
The Catch: Attention and Trust
The Guardian’s Essential poll (March 3, 2025) found over half of voters pay “little or no attention” to the election, complicating policy uptake. Dutton’s “small target” strategy – light on specifics, heavy on critique – may shield him from scrutiny but risks leaving voters “who pay attention” unclear on what he’d deliver. His deferral of costings no doubt fuels this: voters won’t know full impacts until after the election, potentially eroding trust.
Verdict
There’s no smoking gun proving Dutton’s policies have been broadly accepted – or rejected – by the public. His electoral edge in polls suggests they’re palatable enough, yet specific policies like nuclear power and public service cuts face skepticism or outright resistance, tempered by a lack of detailed counterarguments from him to win over doubters. Acceptance seems provisional, hinging on whether voters prioritise his promises over Labor’s record as the campaign sharpens.
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The Spud is nothing but an invective characterless and divisive thug who is totally free of anything that even vaguely resembles charisma. I’m there are many other traits that I haven’t listed so feel free to add to the list.
“Nonetheless his flagship…” I gather you mean the Liberal HMAS Leaking Tinny with the broken oars, torn sail and full of arseholes in search of policies?
Nuclear power makes Australia a nuclear target, designed to give Britain power to control or eliminate..just like they are doing by default in Gaza.
Peter Ducking Futton is a blob, blot, blur, blockhead, blister, bumblast, not human but a humanoid skinful of poo a la modern digital tech. The unreal invention was, in real life, a low level bumkicking absconding detaining nobody who ran from probable charges, investigation, troubles, over wilful illegal apprehension. What a social pox is this.
Think we can safely assume he will be given a free ride by our RW MSM, unless ‘you know whom’ decides not to support him…..
Peter Dutton cannot, under any circumstance, become the Prime Minister of Australia. His record stands before him: his appalling rascism of any persons of colour; his meanness towards our First Nations people; his vindictiveness towards anyone who doesn’t toe his line; his overt cruelty toward anyone he takes a dislike to.
There is no doubt Albo has been a disappointment at times. But, imo, he is a good and kind person who tries not to divide and alienate Australians from each other and thier neighbours. And at least he has a SOH
Why?
With the opposition saying that Dutton is a man of action “just like Trump”, we should expect chaos “just like Trump” if Dutton gets to be PM.
I trust that disaffected coalition voters will support the cross bench in greater numbers than at the last election.
I thought the ‘flagship policy’ that Spud expected would seize the imagination of the electorate, and get him across the line as Prime Minister, was to give small businesses a tax deduction if they take staff or clients out for a meal or entertainment.
Admittedly it was an uncosted policy and when questioned about the details Spud couldn’t demonstrate how this policy benefit the nation.
Aspiring Treasurer Angus Taylor did however rule out grog from these lunch-time frolics : there would be no drunken carousing at the taxpayers expense on his watch Angus assured us but he was equivocal when it came to girly bars*.
This policy has almost pushed me over the line into the coalition camp for the election but first, I want more details. As a pensioner, will somebody be taking me out to lunch (Thursdays would be good as they have a roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding special at the local pub) and will they pick me up and drop me off, as I may have a couple of pots – at my own expense of course ?
In the interests of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), he was also equivocal about boy bars.
The Libs came to the WA election with no policy, a kind of ‘we’re better than the other mob, so vote for us’ and it led to their third drubbing in three elections.
Is the federal election going down that track?
The appeal, to put Australia on the right track is about as useful as saying they are going to be better than the mob currently in power, ‘trust us’, when time and again they, and particularly Mr Dutton demonstrate their untrustworthiness.
It’s not so much that Deadeyes Deadhead provides no details, it’s that he lies like he breathes. That is perfectly clear. Whatever he says, given his long record of gaslighting, verballing and bullshit, I assume it’s just another lie.
OK, I have to apologise – I actually agree with one thing on that list of policies: banning foreign investors from buying existing houses. I’d add buying land to the ban as well.
With der Spud bumming up to T-Rump for ages, and sucking hard on the big Oz vag, there ought not be too much to be concerned about.
T-Rump is being excoriated left right and centre, making an international display of untrustworthiness, stupidity, and labile lunacy. Even the most dumbass Oz bogan could’nt help but notice. As for the big Oz vag, almost universally disrespected, except by toady banks, who are also almost universally detested.
The real problem being faced by Oz, is the dribbling, fawning, lazy, cynical. drunken, captured amanuenses of the mainstream media, and their offsiders of the bling-pumpers brigade.