Kirilly Dutton and Jodie Haydon: Why my partner deserves to be elected prime minister

Kirilly Dutton and Jodie Haydon explain in their own words why the man they love is the right person to lead Australia for the next three years.

Peter Dutton’s wife Kirilly Dutton, and Anthony Albanese’s fiancee Jodie Haydon, explain to the Australian people why their partner is the right man to lead our nation.

■ Read the final pitches from Albo and Dutton here

‘PETER IS FIRM, FAIR – AND THE LEADER WE NEED’

By Kirilly Dutton, Peter Dutton’s wife

Above all else, Peter is a listener. Whether he is with family, friends, residents in Dickson, or the many Australians he meets as a parliamentarian, he is attentive and curious.

He isn’t one of those politicians who speaks over people or tells people how it is. He asks questions. He wants to hear other people’s stories and perspectives. And that’s what makes him attuned to the views and values of everyday Australians.

■ Who is Kirrilly Dutton? Read her story here

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton with his wife Kirilly at their Queensland property. Picture: Paul Harris

He started and ran a successful business. He has been an Assistant Treasurer. He knows what makes the economy tick. He has been part of Coalition governments that have cleaned up the economic mess they have inherited. And he will do it again.

Peter has held some of the toughest jobs in government as Home Affairs and Defence Minister.

He has made difficult but necessary decisions in our nation’s best interests.

Australians respect his strength of character. They know he is man who can bring certainty for our country amidst uncertain times. And while he is firm, he is fair and compassionate too.

From his time as a police officer through to today, he is driven by a desire to protect others and a clear sense of morality. He knows there is right and wrong, and good and evil, in the world.

Despite his roles and workload, he has always been a wonderful husband and a dedicated and present father to his children.

He has always prioritised time with myself and the kids and has endless time for his extended family – especially his nieces and nephews.

Peter is the prime minister we need for our times.

‘ANTHONY’S A MAN WHO RESPECTS AND VALUES WOMEN’

By Jodie Haydon, Anthony Albanese’s fiancee

It won’t surprise Australians that I’ll be voting Labor on Saturday.

As the daughter of public school teachers, I could not be more delighted that Anthony and the government will fully fund public education – completing the important reforms begun by Julia Gillard, who was an important trailblazer in public life and a woman I very much admire.

Australians can trust Anthony to manage the economy well and invest in the services families rely on, like Medicare. He has focused on helping Australians with cost of living pressure in the here and now, while building opportunity for the future.

■ Who is Jodie Haydon? Read her story here

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with his fiancee Jodie Haydon at the Lodge in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

There can be a lot of noise in politics. But I’m confident women can spot a prime minister who respects and values them.

Anthony understands the importance of conditions like flexible work so that families can balance their work demands and see their kids, families and friends.

Anthony wants women to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. He walks the walk on equality in his professional life and at home.

Anthony is tough, and we need our leaders to be tough, because the world is an uncertain place.

But we also need leaders to be kind and empathetic – and Anthony is kind. He listens. He’s tuned in. He is loyal. He is confident enough to be who he is – and he’s never forgotten where he came from.

If Australians give Anthony the great privilege of another term as prime minister, he will work every day to make Australia a better, stronger and fairer country.