Australian politics and news recap April 12: Anthony Albanese calls Jacinta Price’s Trump comment ‘strange’

Peter Dutton claims he will be the best prime minister for WA, saying Anthony Albanese’s Government has been the worst since the Whitlam government.

He said he understands the importance of WA’s mining sector for the economy and Albanese’s decision to delay the North West Shelf decisions shows he is a risk for WA.

“I think WA is more astute when it comes to the mining sector than any other part of the country.

“We know that our economy doesn’t work without a really strong economy here in Western Australia and Anthony Albanese is a risk.

“Labor can’t manage money. This is the worst government since the Whitlam government in the 1970s. And I believe very strongly that WA understands that.”

When asked if Allegra Spender has crossed a line by paying social media influencers to promote her cause, Dutton said the “whole Teal movement is a con job”.

“I just think when it comes to the whole Teal movement, the whole thing is a con job. And that’s why people are now seeing through the Teals, they’re Greens in disguise,” Dutton said.

“And if you vote for a Teal, you’re voting for a Green, which means you’re voting for Anthony Albanese.

“The Teals will only support Anthony Albanese in government. That’s the reality. So a Labor, Greens, Teal government is a disaster for WA.

“It’s a disaster for the economy.”

Peter Dutton says he wants to be a Prime Minister who fights every day for what he believes in.

“The Prime Minister promised that the cost of living would be cheaper under him.

“He promised that mortgages would be cheaper under him. He promised that bulk billing rates would be higher under him, and he promised that energy costs and electricity costs would be down by $275 every year.

“Now, the Prime Minister hasn’t kept one of those promises, and I want to be a prime minister of integrity and somebody who stands up and says what I believe in and argue every day for it, because we live in the best country in the world.”

Michaelia Cash has slammed Anthony Albanese over Medicare bulk billing rates, saying he is conning Western Australians.

“Under you, West Australians are finding it harder to get a doctor,” Cash said.

“Medicare bulk billing rates in Western Australia have dropped 15 per cent under Anthony Albanese.

“So my message is clear to Mr Albanese, stop conning Western Australians, stops treating us like mugs.”

Shadow Indigenous Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has said “make Australia great again” in a Trump-like rallying call at a Perth election event.

Speaking alongside opposition leader Peter Dutton, Senator Michaelia Cash and local candidate Howard Ong, Ms Price received a roaring applause when she was called to the microphone at the Mount Pleasant bowling club.

Katina Curtis reports that as the PM got off the ferry on the Swan River today he was greeted by his federal WA Labor team.

They posed for a photo, with the PM leading a chant of “Go Rabbitohs!” ahead of the NRL double-header in town tonight.

Mr Albanese had a warm reception from voters as he made his way through Elizabeth Quay on Saturday morning.

Greeting passers by, the Prime Minister shook hands with locals, stopped for selfies and greeted local family Kimberly and Tom and two-year-old son Harvey.

The group walked across the Elizabeth Quay bridge, nearly blocking the wide footpath with the media and police contingent in tow.

It’s a popular cycling route and some of the Saturday morning locals were overheard grumbling about “bloody politicians” blocking their workout.

“I’ve never seen Albo in the flesh,” one enthused, intrigued by the spectacle.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has stated he will “stand up for farmers” and “stand up for the community” as he addressed a gathering of supporters in WA.

Dutton arrived at a bowling club in the southern Perth seat of Tangney to hold a rally with Michaelia Cash, Jacinta Price, and local candidate Howard Ong.

Cheers, clapping and sign waving were the order of the day as he continued to rev up support ahead pf the official coalition camoaig launch tomorrow.

Peter Dutton has been joined by Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price at a bowling club in Tangney WA and the pair have delivered passionate speeches in front of a throng of supporters.

The Coalition leader introduced the Senator who said she can’t “be prouder to stand by a man who put’s Australian’s first.”

“He has a proven track record and he is the man for the job as the next Prime Minister.”

Mr Dutton and Mr White sat at an outdoor table of the coffee shop, where they looked over plans to redevelop the Cottesloe foreshore.

Local resident Tory, stopped with 18-month-old Poppy to stay hello, and question Mr Dutton on his policies for young people.

Mr Dutton told Tory about his housing policy as his main offering for young people.

Former Howard government minister and Notre Dame University chancellor Chris Ellison stopped to greet Mr Dutton and briefly joined them at the table.

One young woman yelled out “I hate you” from the window of a moving car. But residents seemed largely positive about Mr Dutton’s arrival.

Peter Dutton has met Liberal candidate for the seat Curtin, Tom White, on a shopping strip in Cottesloe.

The Opposition Leader greeted Mr White on Napoleon Street and they walked down to a cafe called Vans.

The street walk marks the most significant level of public exposure of the campaign this week, with Mr Dutton doing a street walk.

The Coalition hopes to win the well-heeled coastal electorate in Perth back from teal independent Kate Chaney.

Curtin is considered a blue ribbon seat and was once held by former foreign minister Julie Bishop. Ms Chaney defeated Celia Hammond in the 2022 election.

A woman wearing a Prada hat and walking a large dog stopped to greet Mr White and gave him a hug.

Another couple walking a large shaggy dog, stopped to chat with Mr White.