Subjects: Visit to WA and to the Perth Royal Show; election date speculation; the Prime Minister’s cost of living crisis and home-grown inflation; Labor’s housing crisis and Big Australia migration policy; CFMEU running riot through the economy and pushing building costs up; favourite music; favourite TV shows; the age old dog vs cat debate; learnings from former Prime Ministers; the Perth Telethon.
E&OE.
LISA SHAW:
Well, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome to the studio for the first time, the Opposition Leader, Liberal Leader Peter Dutton.
Good morning.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah!
PETER DUTTON:
Great to be here with you guys. Thank you very much.
LISA SHAW:
Thanks for popping in during your quick trip to Perth. What brings you to WA?
PETER DUTTON:
Well, we’re off to the Royal Show, we’ve got a few meetings, and I was to stay overnight and go to the police memorial function tomorrow, but I’ve got a funeral in Sydney, so I’m back on the red eye tonight…
LISA SHAW:
Oh, okay.
PETER DUTTON:
…and back over here in the next couple of weeks. So, great time of year, the weather’s been spectacular.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
It has.
LISA SHAW:
So just time to get a couple of Bertie Beetle bags?
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah that’s right.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
You don’t have meetings on the Wild Mouse do you, Peter, by any chance?
PETER DUTTON:
I just think that…
LISA SHAW:
The Gravitron?
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah sure, that’d be a great photo.
LISA SHAW:
Yeah.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah.
PETER DUTTON:
I just don’t think you can restrict yourself though to the Bertie Beetle. As you can tell by my physique…
LISA SHAW:
Well not one bag!
PETER DUTTON:
No, and then you’ve got the Freddo bag and the rest. So…
LISA SHAW:
True.
PETER DUTTON:
…Anything chocolate, I’m up for it. But certainly a Bertie Beetle bag. I’m the eldest of five kids, so I think it’s – from memory – all my parents could afford back in the day. So there used to be a few fights over the last Bertie Beetle coming out, but it’s stood the test of time.
LISA SHAW:
That’s alright. Cause you can only get Bertie at the show now.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
That’s right. There was a shortage of Bertie Beetles last year.
LISA SHAW:
It’s not on the shelves all year round.
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, okay. Righto.
LISA SHAW:
Yeah.
PETER DUTTON:
Smart marketing ploy. I like it.
LISA SHAW:
Yes. Cruel [inaudible] though.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah. But Peter, despite inflation, Bertie Beetle bag only five bucks still! It’s pretty good, isn’t it
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, yeah.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Good value.
LISA SHAW:
They range in price from about five bucks to like 150 Berty Beetle bag, which is Bertie Beatles for the you know ‘supply it for the whole year’.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Oh, like a lifetime supply?
LISA SHAW:
Yeah.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
It’s crazy! Wow.
LISA SHAW:
But anyway, so let’s talk election date. What kind of date, ballpark, are we looking at?
PETER DUTTON:
Good question. I suspect the Prime Minister is waiting to see when interest rates come down and then go off the back of that, because obviously a lot of people are hurting with their increase in mortgage repayments, interest rates have gone up 12 times and I think a lot of people really are struggling. There’s uncertainty about employment now, so the economists talk about unemployment having to come up and the Government forecast that in their budget, which would be crippling for a lot of families if you’re struggling to pay the bills now. I think if you if you look at the employment figures only released last week, the number of people going back for a second and third job – part time job, extra hours just to try and pay the bills, that is coming through as well.
So yeah, look, I mean December 7’s spoken about, but I think it’s more likely to be early next year, but the PM’s got the advantage here, so he can call it when he wants.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah, what are your thoughts – a little bit more optimism from the Reserve Bank and the Governor this week talking about a potential drop in rates, they’ve kept them the same this week.
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah Clairsy, look I hope that they can come down soon because people have really geared up, a lot of people paid big money for properties. In fact, some of the auctions, people have paid over the reserve price and now the Government’s talking about negative gearing, where that would, I think, have a huge impact, negative impact, on the housing economy. It would drive up rents and it would make it harder for families.
The Government really should be about trying to make it easier at the moment, but I think there are a number of policy decisions they’ve made which have really added to inflation and the Reserve Bank is looking at what’s happening around the world – in the US, in Canada, in New Zealand, interest rates have already started to come down there. But here, inflation’s sticky and the Reserve Bank Governor’s saying that is because the Government’s pumping so much money into the economy.
LISA SHAW:
So you would agree that cost of living issues is the number one thing facing the average Australian right now? That will be your focus when the campaign proper starts?
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah Lisa, as you move around and speak to people, you hear different stories, you know, regional areas, metro areas, but there is a common feedback. People are going to the IGA, or Coles and Woolies are just getting smashed, people are leaving items in the trolley because they just can’t afford to pay the bill, insurance is up, and as I say, interest rates have gone up on 12 occasions under this Government, and people had expected that perhaps interest rates would come down by Christmas. But I don’t think that’s going to be the case, as the Reserve Bank Governor’s pointed out.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
We know there’s a housing crisis and it’s for rentals as well. It’s not something that can be fixed by one thing or one policy or one plan. I take it you’ll go towards the election and beyond with the sort of a broad kind of plan? What kinds of things are you thinking about it, Peter?
PETER DUTTON:
Well, Clairsy, I think it’s a really bad thing in our country where you now see reports of young people giving up hope that they’ll ever be a home owner.
Homeownership is so important because it provides you with a stable place to bring up kids, it provides an asset that increases in value so that you can be supported – particularly in retirement. If you go into retirement with a big mortgage, or you’re still renting, you’ve got uncertainty about your future, and also you’ve got an asset which you can bequeath to your kids eventually and help set them up.
So, home ownership is incredibly important. We need to get the supply side right, so I think we need to do more to get more land coming online, so that people can build that dream home. I also think the Government’s made it really hard over the last couple of years because when you look at the migration numbers, they project for our country that they’ll bring in about 1.6 million people over five years – which is a population the size of Adelaide, but we haven’t done the planning for it. At the same time, there’s only about 300,000 homes that have been built over the last two and a half years, and that’s put pressure on the housing market.
You’ve also had obviously the CFMEU running riot through the economy and so everyone’s paying more for a tradie, for an extension, to build a new house, whatever it might be. Home approvals and completions are at an 11, 10 year low.
So, there’s a lot of pressure – it’s this perfect storm where the market’s really gone skew-whiff and it’s hard for people to get in to buy that first home, in particular.
LISA SHAW:
Yeah. Well, enough politics. This is our first time meeting you. We need…
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, that was getting a bit heavy there. What’s going on?
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
No, no it was good.
LISA SHAW:
We need to have a speed date. We need to get to know you!
PETER DUTTON:
I feel like…
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Speed date!
PETER DUTTON:
This is like coming to Buckingham Palace, right? Like, you only come by invitation, so it’s nice to be here.
LISA SHAW:
You’re welcome anytime.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Have you met the Queen by any chance?
LISA SHAW:
So tell us a bit about you. What music do you like? What’s your favourite band? Who do you listen to?
PETER DUTTON:
Across the board, actually. I mean I finished school in ’87, so INXS was big, a bit of Billy Joel. I enjoy – I’m a bit of a country kid as well…
LISA SHAW:
Ahhh!
PETER DUTTON:
…So I enjoy a bit of country and western. I went to the Luke Combs concert in – oh, a few months ago now, which was fantastic.
LISA SHAW:
Yeah.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Big star. isn’t he?
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it was great.
So, generally speaking, the real answer to your question is it depends on what the kids want to play when you’re in the car, right?
LISA SHAW:
Oh no.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Oh yeah!
PETER DUTTON:
So I’m dictated to by their playlist.
LISA SHAW:
Oh dear.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Whack it on their station or whatever they’re listening to.
PETER DUTTON:
So, I just try and tune it out.
LISA SHAW:
Yes.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
What about TV? Have you ever had a desire to be on a reality show or do you watch any?
PETER DUTTON:
No desire, really. Although I quite enjoy – it’s on Channel Ten and it’s the skit show. I just can’t remember it…
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Oh right, ok. Yeah, yeah. They’re quite clever.
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So they give you a script and you go in and you’ve got to improvise.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah, yeah – Thank God You’re Here?
LISA SHAW:
Yeah. Oh! Thank God You’re Here!
PETER DUTTON:
Thank God You’re Here! Yeah, yeah.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
You open the blue door.
PETER DUTTON:
So, yeah, that’s about the only reality TV I…
LISA SHAW:
Do you feel like that’s your life sometimes?
PETER DUTTON:
Pretty well – here I am today! What costume could I be asked to put on.
LISA SHAW:
Thank God you’re here!
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Thank God you’re here mate, finally!
PETER DUTTON:
Exactly. Yeah, yeah.
LISA SHAW:
Do you ever get – you probably don’t get a lot of bingeing time, but what’s a series that you would like to binge if you get the time or last show you binged?
PETER DUTTON:
I enjoyed Yellowstone.
LISA SHAW:
Oh yeah! Okay.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Oh, yeah. Great.
PETER DUTTON:
A Yellowstone fan.
LISA SHAW:
Right, yes.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Kevin Costner? Yeah.
PETER DUTTON:
Kevin Costner did well in that…
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Brilliant.
PETER DUTTON:
…And yeah, a little bit of Law and Order if it’s on of a night time, if you’re home and sick of the phone…
LISA SHAW:
Never gets old. Yep.
PETER DUTTON:
But yeah. No, I don’t watch as much TV as I did years ago, but I guess that’s because everyone’s just busy…
LISA SHAW:
Yes. I’m not surprised.
PETER DUTTON:
But yeah, that’s about it.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Law and Order? Is that the policeman coming out in you?
LISA SHAW:
Are you…
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, yeah. If only you could solve crimes in that time.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah, in 45 minutes!
LISA SHAW:
Are you a dog person or a cat person?
PETER DUTTON:
Dog person.
LISA SHAW:
Okay.
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah.
LISA SHAW:
Right.
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, we’ve got a little spoodle at home called Ralph…
LISA SHAW:
Aw!
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
A spoodle?!
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, yeah, he’s gorgeous, actually. But he’s essentially the most spoilt child in the household. They’re very needy.
LISA SHAW:
Yeah, I’ve got a poodle. They’re smart.
PETER DUTTON:
They’re smart…
LISA SHAW:
When they want to be.
PETER DUTTON:
But very affectionate, right. He knows when to come and say ‘hello’.
LISA SHAW:
Yeah.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah. We are getting to know you. This is heading back into the political realm, but you’ve worked closely with a lot of PMs, including Prime Minister Howard, Abbott, Morrison and Turnbull. Do you have moments where you think about it and go, ‘oh, I could be in this job soon’? And in your career, were you early on aspiring to be PM?
PETER DUTTON:
I think early on, I mean, I came in, in 2001 into Parliament – so a long, long time ago and my appearance proves that – you age in dog years in politics, especially as Leader of the Opposition.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Like a spoodle?
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah, correct. But yeah, look, I worked closely with John Howard, I was Assistant Treasurer to Peter Costello, I was part of the leadership group across Prime Ministers. Since then I’ve watched and respected Prime Ministers on the other side as well.
So, I think you put all of that together – the learnings, you see the mistakes, you see where they’ve kicked it out of the park.
It is the sort of job where you need that experience. I’ve been in the Health portfolio, in Sport, in Home Affairs, obviously in Immigration, Defence as well, and they’re all interesting areas. But sitting around the Expenditure Review Committee looking at submissions across government, watching the budgets come together…
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah.
PETER DUTTON:
All of that is big experience and I’ve been very fortunate to work with some amazing people.
LISA SHAW:
Right, well, we heard a whisper you might be back in town next month for Telethon?
PETER DUTTON:
I will be here actually. I was here last year for Telethon…
LISA SHAW:
Oh ok!
PETER DUTTON:
Yeah and I’ve been to one before that over the years. It’s a great programme.
LISA SHAW:
It’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?
PETER DUTTON:
It’s a real credit to WA, and some of the causes you see, some of those kids, and hear some of the harrowing accounts of sickness and the rest of it and that average families can chip in and be a part of that success, I think’s a great thing.
LISA SHAW:
It’s an amazing weekend.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Yeah, there’s so many beneficiaries, but also someone like yourself walking into Telethon, they’re always looking at your hands to see what kind of cheque you’ve got in your hand.
PETER DUTTON:
That’s true. The sad part of opposition is it’s like being bankrupt, right? You’ve got no cheque book…
LISA SHAW:
Well, Mr Dutton, thank you so much for coming in today.
PETER DUTTON:
Pleasure thank you guys. Thanks for having me and thank you for inviting me into the Palace, I appreciate it. Thank you.
DEAN ‘CLAIRSY’ CLAIRS:
Cup of tea? Peter Dutton joining us this morning.
[ends]