DAVID KOCH:
We’re joined now by new Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Congratulations to you.
PETER DUTTON:
Thanks Kochie.
DAVID KOCH:
Elected unopposed. No one else wanted the job. Why do you want it?
PETER DUTTON:
Well, the Opposition Leader’s job is the worst in politics, they say; but for me, it’s a three year campaign because I think we live in the best country in the world and I think it’s worth defending, Kochie.
I want to make sure that we’ve got the policies which can help small businesses, I think families are under enormous pressure at the moment, electricity prices are going up, fuel prices are obviously going up and I want to make sure that we’ve got the policies that can keep our country secure, but also to make sure that we can help those families and help grow Australian jobs, bring manufacturing back to our country as well.
DAVID KOCH:
Okay. Scomo apologised for being a bulldozer type of politician. With respect, you have the reputation of being a bulldozer as well?
PETER DUTTON:
But Kochie, I mean you know that I’ve got a soft centre – tough exterior – but soft centre and I’ve got to show people the complete character that I have.
I’ve had tough jobs. I was the Home Affairs Minister. I deported 6,000 criminals – people who had committed sexual assaults against women and children, people who committed murder and serious drug trafficking charges. It’s pretty hard when you’re talking about those sort of things to, you know, crack a joke or to break into smile. I was Defence Minister. We had tough decisions to make there.
But I now can talk about a broad range of subjects and I hope that people can see my background in business, not just as a police officer. There’s a lot more to it, and I hope that people can reserve their judgement until they can see a bit more of who I am, not who they I believe I am.
DAVID KOCH:
So, what is the real you? Describe yourself. What are the misgivings that we may have about you that are unfounded?
PETER DUTTON:
Well Kochie, I grew up in a pretty working class suburb. Mum and Dad were small business people. Dad was a bricklayer and then a builder. Mum looked after kids to put us through school, in a family daycare situation, and they worked hard for every dollar. So I had an appreciation for small business and for the value of money early on.
I worked in a butcher shop after school from grade seven until I started university, and saved like crazy and bought my first house at 19.
I had a business, a small business which grew into a big business employing about 40 people. I was really proud of that.
And I think they are all the values that I’ve brought into my public life. I’ve been in a broad range of portfolios, and I’m passionate about making sure that, you know, in a very uncertain world we can keep our country safe.
DAVID KOCH:
The worst Coalition loss in 70 years. Labor will have a majority government. How are you going to rebuild? You’re saying it’s a three year task. Everyone else is saying it’s a six year task.
How are you going to bring the Liberal Party faithful back to the Party?
PETER DUTTON:
Well Kochie, we’ve got to have policies that our people can believe in and fight for. We have to have economic policies because I think over the next three years it is going to be really tough under Labor. I think electricity prices going up, the uncertainty around energy security and many other issues – I just don’t think they’re equipped to deal with.
The Liberal Party is always best on national security and the economy. You can’t pay for the essential services, the NDIS, all of the services in education and health without a well-managed economy.
I think with inflation rising, with the concerns that people will have in their own budgets, by the end of this three year period, I think we will be in a strong position and we’ll be united as an Opposition as well, and I think that will put us in a credible position.
DAVID KOCH:
All right. Just quickly, do you play an instrument? Do you play the ukulele?
PETER DUTTON:
I don’t play the ukulele. I used to get a clip under the ear for not learning the piano as I should have, or being as attentive as I should have, but no Kochie, no ukulele. I’m sorry to disappoint.
DAVID KOCH:
Alright, we’ll look for other hidden talents.
Peter Dutton, thanks for joining us.
PETER DUTTON:
Thanks mate.
[ends]