Australian politics and news recap April 11: Albanese labels WA’s resources sector as ‘wealth creator’
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Key Events
Albo, Madeleine King take swipe at Dutton’s critical minerals stance
Anthony Albanese has appeared in high vis from the northern WA town of Karratha backed by Madeleine King.
He labelled the region a “wealth creator” for the Australian economy as he stood in front of a shiploader destined for China.
“Rio Tinto, its operations here, throughout the Pilbara and the Kimberley, mean that about a million tons a day go out of these four ports that operate in this region… This region is a wealth creator for our country, and the resources sector plays such an important role,” he said.
Madeleine King spruiked criticial minerals and lamented Peter Dutton’s approach.
“They are an integral part of what the world needs to reach net zero, but also defence materials. And what we see is Peter Dutton ripping $17b out of the critical minerals industry by promising to repeal the production tax credits that the Albanese Labor government has introduced,” she said.
“Moreover, they are going to destroy the critical minerals fund by making that accessible to gas.”
King added, “Australians deserve better than Peter Dutton who is going to destroy a critical minerals industry before it’s even got off the ground.”
“Peter Dutton does not take the critical mineral resources industry seriously.”
Dutton won’t take a backward step dealing with Trump
Mr Dutton has been asked if he would give anything away in a deal with Donald Trump and said nothing would be given away.
“We’re not giving away anything, we’re not giving away our beef industry, we’re not giving away our pharmaceutical industry, which is first class,” he said.
“I would advocate very strongly on our behalf, whether it’s with President Trump or anyone else and I believe we have an enormous contribution to make to the relationship,” he said.
“I think there needs to be a greater appreciation in Washington for that.”
Dutton says Bill Gates has been having an influence on his nuclear thinking
Mr Dutton has been asked about the Coalition’s alternative to renewables as Ben Harvey puts forward Andrew Forrest’s comments in yesterday’s Leadership Matters event where he said he couldn’t make a case for nuclear.
“I fall on the side of Bill Gates in relation to this debate because as Bill Gates rightly says, and it’s been having influence in my thinking, in our policy development here,” he said.
“Bill Gates argues that we should have the lowest footprint with the highest energy for every square metre of impact on the environment, and he’s exactly right.”
Mr Dutton said nuclear was one of the many energy sources the government should embrace.
“To me it’s what is the most efficient use of taxpayers money, now we can subsidise all sorts of energies, and we’ve done that, and people have invested into it, including Andrew (Forrest),” he said.
“I suspect if we put subsidies into nuclear, then people would flock to it as a great investment for them.”
Dutton calls politics a ‘brutal business’ after terror scare
Peter Dutton is talking to The West Australian’s Chief Reporter Ben Harvey.
He says politics is a “brutal business” after his father suffered a heart attack and Mr Dutton was the target of foiled terrorist plot.
“It’s a brutal business, there’s no question about that,” he said.
“It’s the reason my three children have been cured of any interest in politics whatsoever.”
Mr Dutton said he saw his father yesterday and he was doing “well”.
“Regardless of what comes at you, if you know what you believe in, if you know what you stand up for, if you’re prepared to fight for and defend your values, then you know that makes it feel easy,” he said.
“You deal with all the slings and arrows and derogatory comments.”
Dutton says safety of Australians drives him after ‘harrowing’ scenes in police
Peter Dutton has spoken about the how the “harrowing” scenes he saw during his time as a police officer drives him in his political career.
He said domestic violence and suicide were two issues that hit home after responding to them as a cop.
“All of that has an impact on you,” he said.
“I’ve seen lives destroyed.
“The reason i want to make our country a safer place. I want to protect young children is because of that experience.”
He said young people and women deserved to be safe in Australia.
‘Stable energy for 100 years’: Dutton addresses nuclear plan
Peter Dutton has alluded to his nuclear energy plan, which would see a nuclear reactor in Collie.
He said the Coalition’s energy policy would bring prices down.
“We can reduce the cost that they’re paying for gas and electricity so that we can have a stable energy market underpinned over the next 100 years with a reliable zero emissions technology that’s been adopted by 19 of the top 20 economies in the world,” Mr Dutton said.
“It allows us to say to people that we can decarbonise, that we can transition, but that we can do it without blackouts and brownouts.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is ‘obsessed’ with him says Dutton
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being “obsessed” with him rather than helping Australia succeed.
“There’s a much more positive future,” he said.
“I think you can look at the past three years and you can categorize it in different ways but what you can’t form is a success for any part of the country.
“There hasn’t been a successful period over the course of last three years.”
Opposition leader attacks Government over North West shelf decision delay
Peter Dutton has attacked the government again for its decision to defer a decision on the North West gas shelf until after the election.
The Liberal leader said the project extension would be important for the State’s Government.
“Why would you put off a decision after the Cook government took six years to resolve in favour of the extension of its significant project here in the North West shelf,” Mr Dutton said.
“Why would you take a decision in the lead-up to an election to defer that decision until the 31st of May, specifically placed after the election if it was going to be a good outcome for Western Australia?
“That project is integral to 3000 jobs and the countless tax dollars and royalties into the WA and national economies.”
Dutton says he will be a PM for small business and families
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has painted himself as a leader for small businesses and families.
The Liberal leader said he wants young families to feel confident they can have children and homes and start businesses.
He listed instant assess right-offs as an “economic multiplier” amid a suite of focuses of the Coalition.
Mr Dutton said after his nine year police career he steered a small business and found success through it.
“I’ve had a passion for small business very early on and I love small business.”
“There are many stories in this room and many stories right across WA where people have started with exactly that story.
He also said his fuel excise policy would help families tackle the cost of living crisis.
Dutton: WA facing ‘sliding doors moment’
Peter Dutton has begun his speech by attacking the Government’s record and said Anthony Albanese was focusing on attacking the Liberal party’s character.
“I want to talk today about what I believe is a sliding doors moment for Australia, but for WA in particular,” Mr Dutton said.
“I think you can look at the past three years and you can categorise it in different ways, but what you can’t call it is a success for any part of the country.”
The opposition leader also claimed he didn’t need to “attack the character” of the Prime Minister to win the next election.
Dutton pitches himself as a leader like John Howard
Peter Dutton has spoken of himself and his team as a “credible alternative” not seen since John Howard in 2007 at today’s The West Australian’s Leadership Matters event.
“I think we are a very credible alternative at the next election, you know in a way compared to how John Howard was in 2007,” Mr Dutton said.
“We have been united and we have all have a particular expertise.”
It’s not his first reference to John Howard this election.
