Nationals leader David Littleproud has firmly backed Peter Dutton’s call that he is the most qualified opposition leader on economics since John Howard.
Mr Dutton on Friday detailed his plan to become prime minister during an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph, marking two years in the role as opposition leader.
The Liberal leader described economics as a “passion” which came “second nature” to him, as he responded to suggestions some of his colleagues think he is more inclined towards national and community safety than monetary matters.
“I think my two strengths are community and national safety and security and economics,” Mr Dutton told the publication.
“I would be the most qualified opposition leader if economic experience was a prerequisite.
“I would have the most experience of anyone since Howard, coming into this job.
“And I’ve learned a lot from Howard and (Peter) Costello and I would bring all of that into government.”
His comments drew the approval of Mr Littleproud when he was on Saturday asked by Sky News Australia host Jaynie Seal if he agreed Mr Dutton was the most qualified opposition leader since Mr Howard.
“Well, he is. What you’re going to get from Peter Dutton and David Littleproud is just upfront truth,” Mr Littleproud said.
“What you see is what you get out of us, and at a time when Australians are looking for leadership, they’re looking for strength.
“I don’t think there’s anything stronger in the political persuasion at the moment than Peter Dutton.”
The Nationals leader claimed Australians needed the coalition in government to get “out of this mess that Albanese created for us”.
Speaking about his previous roles to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Dutton spruiked his experience as former assistant treasurer to Mr Costello, as well as his time on the National Security Committee and Expenditure Review Committee.
The opposition leader said he had “no doubt” the Liberal Party could form the next government as he claimed Labor “hasn’t performed”.
“To be an effective leader you have to be able to make the tough decisions, the decisions that aren’t always popular, but are in a country or community’s best interests,” Mr Dutton said.
“And I believe that I’ve got that capacity and skill as opposed to Anthony Albanese, who I think is a nice enough person, but he’s weak and tries to walk both sides of the street.”
Mr Dutton’s comments follow Mr Albanese reigniting momentum around his government’s Future Made in Australia Act, while issuing his pitch to the Australian public on why they should re-elect Labor at the next election.
Mr Albanese headlined the Sky News-The Australian annual forum on Friday hosted by AM Agenda anchor Laura Jayes and delivered a keynote address before sitting down with Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
Asked why the Albanese government should return for a second term, the Prime Minister told Mr Clennell: “Because we’ve been an effective government. Because we’ve delivered a stronger economic position than the one we inherited.”
He said the way his party has backed up its election promises and delivered “more growth in the regions and the suburbs” should be a factor they consider at the polls.
“I got elected on a platform of not leaving people behind and not holding people back,” he said.
“We’re doing that by looking after people – the increase that we’ve had in job seeker… rent assistance… the increased in support that we’ve had for people in need.”
He also lambasted Mr Dutton and shadow energy minister Ted O’Brien’s impending unveiling of the coalition’s policy ahead of the election.
Mr Albanese argued it would send Australia down a 15 year “rabbit hole” and waste valuable time better spent building an internationally competitive renewable energy industry.
The Labor leader said Australia had the competitive advantage through its “abundance” of rare earth and critical minerals to capitalise on the global de-industrialisation and transition to net zero.
“Catering to new and growing global demand for our resources and converting the global imperative to cut emissions into a national source of comparative advantage,” he said.
Mr Dutton, however, accused the Prime Minister of conducting a “childish conversation” which “reflects on him”.
“The government signed up to nuclear reactors sitting at ports in Australia for decades to come — exactly the same technology. And there’s no argument in relation to safety or disposal because the government signed up to both of those under AUKUS,” he said.