Peter Dutton has faced accusations of hypocrisy, particularly in light of his recent actions involving his family in a political context. To recap:
Peter Dutton’s recent PR campaign – featuring his son and an affordable housing initiative – is a textbook case study in political miscalculation. The optics alone are disastrous: a wealthy politician using his family to promote a policy supposedly aimed at helping those struggling with housing affordability. The hypocrisy is palpable.
The charge of hypocrisy stems from Dutton’s history of publicly advocating for keeping family out of political attacks while seemingly contradicting this principle when it suits his narrative.
- In June 2024, a photo surfaced of Dutton’s 18-year-old son, Tom, holding a bag of white powder during Schoolies week on the Gold Coast, captioned as a birthday treat. The image, quickly deleted but screenshotted, led to significant media coverage. At the time, Dutton’s office issued a brief statement: “This is a private matter for the Dutton family.”
- On September 3, 2024, Dutton spoke more extensively about the incident on the Neil Mitchell Asks Why podcast. He expressed frustration with the media’s focus on his family, stating, “I think we do [put too much attention on politicians’ personal lives and families].” He emphasised the unfairness of dragging his children into the public spotlight due to his career choice, saying, “It pains me that a decision I’ve made puts them in the spotlight. But that’s the reality of this job.”
The PR incident isn’t isolated; Dutton has faced similar accusations over his 23-year political career. Below are key examples that show a pattern of hypocritical behaviour:
1. Apology to the Stolen Generations (2008): Dutton walked out during the national apology to Indigenous Australians, arguing it wouldn’t deliver tangible outcomes for abused children in Indigenous communities. This stance was hypocritical given his later claims of supporting Indigenous recognition, such as during the 2023 Voice referendum debates where he walked back earlier promises of pursuing constitutional recognition. His opposition to the Voice was framed as prioritising “local and regional voices” – a hollow alternative that avoided substantive change.
2. Personal Attacks and Appearance Shaming: Dutton has criticised personal attacks when targeted at him, such as in 2022 when he complained about Tanya Plibersek likening him to Voldemort, saying, “I just don’t think you need to be nasty and mean.” Yet, he has a history of making derogatory remarks about others’ appearances, including a 2013 tweet mocking Kevin Rudd’s hairstyle (how ironic) and a comment during Question Time telling Nicola Roxon to “get on your broomstick.” These contradictions suggest a selective sensitivity to personal attacks.
3. Immigration and Asylum Policies: Dutton was Minister for Home Affairs when Australia rejected New Zealand’s 2017 offer to resettle 150 asylum seekers from Manus Island, calling it an encouragement to people smugglers. However, Dutton himself intervened in 2015 to prevent the deportation of an Italian au pair linked to a former Queensland police colleague, raising questions, no doubt, about favouritism. This selective application of immigration rules – strict for vulnerable refugees but lenient for personal connections – demonstrates hypocrisy.
4. Media Criticism: Dutton has dismissed critical media as “crazy lefties,” namely from the ABC and The Guardian, claiming their attacks are irrelevant to him. Yet he actively courts favourable coverage from conservative media and relies on their amplification of his narratives, such as during the Voice referendum where he questioned the Australian Electoral Commission’s impartiality (how very Trumpish). His selective engagement with media undermines any claims of indifference to criticism.
5. Economic and Social Policies: Dutton has positioned himself as a champion of cost-of-living relief, recently claiming people are “in tears” over financial struggles. However, revelations about his extensive property portfolio (said to be worth $30 million) and bank share speculation during the 2008 financial crisis have fueled perceptions that he’s not only out of touch with ordinary Australians, but perhaps a wee bit hypocritical.
The above examples suggest a pattern where Dutton’s public statements or principles often clash with his actions, particularly when political advantage is at stake. But that’s the playbook of a hypocrite: say one thing, do another.
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
Dutton is a vulnerable oaf, unaware of his deep mediocrity. Lovely as a cut-off foreskin, bright as a black turd in a coal mine at midnight, deep as a puddle of flea piss, Dutton is DULL, anti-educational, a predatory prick. The clinging clams of conservatism must line up., but for what? RUIN? RIDICULE?
Just watched the debate on ABC between Albanese and Dutton. For once, David Speers’ good questions to both Albanese and Dutton and as Dutton swerved, kept asking him for an answer, Albo was atop of his facts and so much more – a leader.
What a charlatan Dutton! Getting youngest son Harry all dressed up in a builder’s tradie vest to say how hard he was saving for a home when his dad is as rich as Croesus with a large numbers of houses, land and large business portfolio.
Do we know how Dutton’s eldest – Tom- is doing? He is not on the campaign trail with his Dad though the two younger Dutton’s, pathetically- are. Black sheep much?
I saw the lacklustre debate and give it to Albanese although I don’t think I could sit through another one – I hear they are scheduling a third.
Good to see Speers pursue Dutton on his claim that the Indonesian President had announced a request from Russia to establish an air base: there was no such announcement and Dutton finally admitted it was a mistake [a strategic lie].
I think Australians just want the election over and as far as I can judge, Labor have a competent, tested team while the coalition have a rag-tag mob who are being kept out of sight as people like Deputy Liberal Leader Susssan Ley could sink their campaign if they let her out of witness protection.
There goes my last mouthful of coffee. All over my iPad screen.
No, Sussan – like Bananababy – is in “witless protection”, not “witness protection”.
Witness protection would mean that they’d noticed a crime and were willing to report it, but the Coalition ability to do things like Robodebt, purchasing $3 million dollar properties for ten times their price and a host of other things, suggests that – like Sgt Schultz – all LNP MPs adopt the mantra of “I see nothing!”
Witless Protection, I like that.
Rather alarmingly Sky’s Paul Murray reckons “Dutton won by a country mile” and Chris Kenny claims Dutton “smashed it out of the park”.
Were they actually watching the debate or a re-run of Dancing with the Stars
As regards Barnaby being confined to barracks one National stalwart said ‘Of course we want to keep him in New England! He’s a loose cannon who could derail campaigns in other states by serving as a reminder of just how messy his own career in politics has been.’ I wouldn’t be surprised if they had installed an ankle tracking device that would alert Nationals HQ should he stray beyond New England electorate boundaries – and they think they are ready to govern !
Michael I think we will all need a keyboard upgrade when this is all over.
Terry,
Maybe they should do to Annabelle Ley what they’ve done with Bananababy, have guards patrolling the property 24 hours a day armed with tranquiliser guns just in case he escapes.
Let’s face it, the LNP is about to tunnel right down into their cesspit and fling the stinking festering nightsoil in all directions as they become more and more desperate.
I didn’t watch the debate (?) so am relying on commentators, judging the result by the credit I give to those sources ( including here). On that basis I judge that Albanese won narrowly but wasn’t very inspirational which is what I expected. Although I am following the election through a looking glass of others views, I am generally disengaged because neither side offers anything to me, an ageing part pensioner home-owner, asset rich but cash poor and neither side is really addressing issues which I consider important,: climate change, homelessness issues, support for Palestine, the disastrous security links to the US including the AUKUS debacle, improving links with China and so on. This attitude prevails in my friendship groups. Petty politics is trumping ( sorry) serious policy development and it’s showing in the polls reflection on party support with increasing attraction to independents who do support some of the issues I identify as important. Sadly, of course, many voters will simply tick a box because they have to. But it’s why I always say put the LNP last.
There is a Paul Murray on “SKY”. Well, there will be a flea on a rat. SKY newsless needs variations, e. g., SKUNK, or perhaps SCUM, or SKULK, or even just SKULLDEAD. Speers, the “host” is also an infection of the media causing swelling of the viewer’s anger glands. Institutional irritating stupidities are depressingly Murdochery Merdey brown…
I do not know why the NOtional$ confined Beetrooter to the New England election because he rarely moves out of the Tamworth orbit where the ladies just love his adultery, alcoholism, bigotry, corruption, deceit, fornication, sexual harassment and misogyny.
Oh!! Look out!! Beetrooter is doing a cameo performance down the south end of the electorate where the fear of miners (built like concrete dunnies, two axe handles across the shoulders and fighting like threshing machines) protecting their women may keep his sexual fantasies under some control. Just move any plant boxes from the vicinity.
In the distance from Canberra, it appears that the LIARBRAL$ are behaving very much like the Howard misgovernment in 2007; flapping around like wet chooks, making a lot of noise but not much political sense. I live in hope.
VOTE 1 ALI FRANCE IN DICKSON & GIVE AUSTRALIA A CARING POLITICIAN
Der Spud has run out of toes so what is he going to shoot off this time? Backflipitis will strike again I expect.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/looks-and-smells-like-a-tax-dutton-s-gas-plan-flagged-as-unconstitutional-20250416-p5ls5w.html
I won’t be voting for Dutton. I don’t want or need an Indue card. Pensioners, including the aged, were next in line when Morrison was voted out. They have said they will be coming back and extended. How many on this site want one?
Dutton is at it again. First bank shares days before the bailout of the banks in the GFC. Now BHP shares sold days before thousands of workers sacked in mining. Story on news.com by Samantha Maiden 16/4/25.
P Duddy would agree with Sir Bedevere about the world being shaped like a banana if he thought that it would gain him some miniscule credibility and a few extra votes.
The LNP just keep making themselves more and more irrelevant, pathetic and desperate.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sneaky-shifty-coalition-claims-it-is-kept-in-the-dark-on-russia-and-indonesia-20250418-p5lspd.html
P Duddy has had a new brain fart.
https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/revive-entrepreneurship-coalition-to-unveil-new-tax-breaks-for-small-businesses/news-story/67564489ac11f73d84052d8ee8296d40