Peter Dutton has heaped praise on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the election campaign enters its final week.
The Opposition Leader faced questions about his wealth, and that of Mr Albanese, and whether it sent a message that only those within a certain income bracket could win the top job.
‘You have touted the fact that you have had success in business as a reason why you think your are well-suited to be a prime minister and you noted that Anthony Albanese has done well for himself financially as well,’ a reporter asked.
‘Do you think that means that this contest is increasingly suggesting to people that the job of prime minister is only open to people of a certain size economic bracket?’
Mr Dutton responded with some words of praise for his opponent.
‘I think the Prime Minister and I probably share a similar background in the sense of not coming from money and we have worked hard, both of us, and I am proud of what we have been able to achieve.
‘That is the reality of the Prime Minister’s story as well. He has worked hard during his working life, worked for the unions, worked for the Labor Party, and has been in parliament for almost 30 years. He has worked hard for his community,’ Mr Dutton said.
Mr Dutton went on to explain his own path to wealth, where he started a childcare business with his father after first working as a police officer.
‘I started with nothing and we were able to work hard and sacrifice and build a business and I’m proud of what we were able to achieve.’
Peter Dutton has heaped praise on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying he had ‘worked hard’
Trailing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the polls, Mr Dutton has embarked on a last-ditch blitz to visit 28 electorates before polls close on May 3
The odds are generally tipping in Mr Albanese’s favour over who will win the upcoming federal election
‘And I think what it says to all Australians is if you come from any background, you can achieve leadership in one of the major political parties, aspire to be prime minister of our country, aspire to be governor-general, aspire to be an esteemed member of the Canberra press gallery.’
Trailing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the polls, Mr Dutton has embarked on a last-ditch blitz to visit 28 electorates before polls close on May 3.
The opposition leader pressed his case for election in the final leaders’ debate on Sunday night, spruiking his party’s pledge to increase defence spending and attacking the government on the cost of living.
In a point of distinction with Mr Albanese, Mr Dutton said he believed Australians thought Indigenous Welcome to Country ceremonies were overdone.
He has also upped his campaign focus on stamping out violence against women, on Monday pledging $20 million for a domestic violence trauma centre in the bellwether seat of Robertson on the NSW Central Coast.
Millions of Australians have already voted, casting doubt over the extent to which any last-ditch efforts will impact the election outcome.
The odds are generally tipping in Mr Albanese’s favour, with a Newspoll published on Monday showing Labor leading the coalition 52 per cent to 48 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis.
