Australian news and politics recap March 28: Dutton launches election bid from Qld as May 3 battle begins

Mr Dutton was asked about his new gas reserve policy after energy producers dismissed the plan, saying it would cause over supply.

“Well, that’s good,” Mr Dutton said.

“It will bring down prices and that’s exactly what we want to do.

“I’m not here to argue for the gas companies, I’m here to argue for Australian consumers, for mums and dads, small businesses, 29,000 of whom have gone broke under Labor’s watch.

“Behind everyone of those stories is a mum, dad, somebody who has lost their home and life savings and I am going to standup for others and make the decisions that we need to make to keep our country safe and make sure our economy is properly managed.

“I was the Assistant Treasurer in the Howard government, and I want to make sure that we can get the economy back on track because families are hurting at the moment.”

“When it comes to the economy, inflation, energy, housing and security, Labor has simply failed to deliver,” Mr Dutton said.

“Unfortunately, Mr Albanese is too weak and Labor is too incompetent to fix the problems that they’ve created and that are facing our country today.

“We can’t afford three more years like the last three.

“There is a better way for our country and my team.

“I have a practical plan which will deliver cost of living relief and lower power prices into the future.

“I ask Australians for your vote for your Liberal and National candidates at the next election so that that we can get our country back on track and make sure that we can deal with our times, which are very uncertain.”

“I have a track record, as a police officer, as a small business owner and as a minister across a number of portfolios,” Mr Dutton said.

“Importantly, I have a very experienced team and with people from diverse backgrounds, who have experience running small businesses, creating jobs and delivering healthcare.

“Serving our country and their communities, our team is united experienced and ready for the responsibility of governing Australia.

“Our plan, will deliver a stronger economy with low inflation and affordable homes in safer communities.

“A stronger,safer, better Australia.”

“We’re going to boost spending for the Australian Defence Force because we live in a very uncertain time,” Mr Dutton said.

The former police officer also said the Coalition would “make our suburbs and our towns safer”.

“We’re going to make sure that we have a focus on border security once again,” Mr Dutton said.

“We will make housing more affordable by reducing Labor’s record migration in take, by funding critical infrastructure, assisting first home buyers and restricting foreign investors.

“By making housing more affordable, we’ll restore the hope of homeownership for young Australians.”

“We must do better and there is a better way,” Mr Dutton says.

“The Coalition has an achievable plan to get our country back on track.

“That’s why a Coalition Government will cut fuel excise by 25 cents a litre so that every time you fill up your car or your ute at the bowser it’s about $14 cheaper.

“Our plan will help get our country back on track.

“A Government I lead will build a strong economy with low inflation and we will deliver this by reining in the wasteful spending that fuels inflation.”

“Australians are now paying on average 18 per cent more for rent, 30 per cent more for groceries and over 30 per cent more for power and gas,” Mr Dutton said.

“Under Labor, Australia’s had the biggest fall in living standards in the developed world, and Australia has just recorded the highest annual number of small business bankruptcies, as I say, on record.

“Too many young Australians feel that the dream of home ownership is completely beyond them.

“What sort of Prime Minister in the middle of acost-of-living crisis promises a 70 cent a day tax cut, starting in 15 months’ time?

“Australian families need relief now.”

“The Prime Minister spent the first half of this term of Parliament obsessed with the Voice,” Mr Dutton said.

The Coalition Leader said this meant Mr Albanese and Labor neglected the economy and tackling inflation.

“Because of his bad decisions, Australians are doing it tough and they need help,” Mr Dutton said.

“Worse still for many, they’re losing hope for their future, 29,000 small businesses have gone broke over the course of the Albanese Government’s first term.

“I don’t believe that we can simply afford to continue down the current path, and that means that we can’t afford three more years of Labor.”

Coalition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia can’t “afford to continue down the current path”, while launching his campaign to be Australia’s next Prime Minister.

“This election is a choice about who can better manage our economy and, of course, the question that Australians need to ask is, are you better off today, is our country better off today, than three years ago?”

“Generations of Australians have built their lives and our country on the belief that if you work hard you can get ahead and build a better future for your children.

“However, right now, Australia is going backwards.”

Peter Dutton, Leader of the Coaltion, is speaking from the Queensland Liberal National Party headquarters.

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