Voter Verdict: What Aussie voters really think of Albanese and Dutton
Undecided voters have revealed what they really think of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton and it’s not flattering. SEE THE VIDEO
Federal Election
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Undecided voters have labelled Peter Dutton as the “Australian version of Trump” but say they aren’t convinced Anthony Albanese has what it takes to lead the country after the first week of the federal election campaign.
Comparisons between US President Donald Trump and Australia’s Opposition Leader was the hot-button topic for undecided voters in News Corp’s Voter Verdict panel.
WATCH THEIR BRUTAL TAKE ON WEEK ONE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
It comes after Mr Dutton said he was willing to “have a fight with Donald Trump” if it was in the national interest of Australia earlier this week.
The majority of the panel were not impressed with either leader’s campaigns so far with the Prime Minister labelled as “disappointing”, “irresponsible” and “lack lustre”.
On the other hand, Peter Dutton was described as a “disconnected”, “impersonal”, and inexperienced.
Of the 14 panel members four believed Mr Dutton’s had outperformed Mr Albanese’s first week of the campaign, while six favoured Mr Albanese, and four thought the leaders tied.
The exclusive Voter Verdict panel of undecided voters is chosen by pollsters Redbridge.
Many are in key seats marginal seats.
Rachel Zappia, 50, from the electorate Reid in Sydney said she felt like both parties were trying to gain the upper hand but neither were out in front.
“I don’t think anyone’s leading the way at all at the moment,” Ms Zappia said but she believed Mr Albanese was “charismatic”.
However Aaron Teboneras, 41, from the electorate of Moncrieff on the Gold Coast, was impressed with the Opposition leader’s strong campaigning, describing Mr Dutton as ”bold”.
“At the end of the day, Peter Dutton is fighting for Australia’s national interests, not America’s,” Mr Teboneras said.
“He’s protecting Australia’s interests and if the US doesn’t side with us, then so be it, he’s going look after for every one of us.”
However Denzel James, 19, from the division of Makin in Adelaide, said he thought Peter Dutton wanted to turn Australia into an “American-like country”, which “I don’t support”.
Katie Hows agreed, describing Mr Dutton as the “Wish version of Trump”.
“I think he’s very argumentative and he’ll pick a fight with anyone,” Ms Hows said.
Brett Terry compared the first week of the campaign to a “boxing match” where “ … no one has convinced me in any way to vote for them”.
Rebecca Free, 51, in the division of Lyons near Hobart thought Mr Albanese’s campaign was “struggling” and described Mr Dutton as “impersonal”.
Panel members were frustrated the two leaders were not communicating well enough with voters on their plans to address key issues, such as cost-of-living.
“It’s more about criticising each other and not putting their money where their mouth is and actually telling us what are they going to do to make this a better country to live, work and play in and raise our children.”
Julie-anne Perich, 47, in the electorate of Barker, in South Australia, said wanted the leaders to outline their vision for the country rather than “rehashing their policies”.
“We want to hear what they’re going to do in the future for us, and … there’s not enough (discussion) of the cost of living situation, the housing, no one wants to hear any of the other stuff,” she said.
Muhammad Ahmad Ashraf, 39, in the electorate of Forde said so far be was in favour of the Prime Minister because he was “quite clear in his policies” to reduce the cost of living, wage growth, tax cuts and reduction in student debt.
Overall, Mr Albanese had a total score of 5.4 out of 10 compared to Peter Dutton, who was scored 4.5 out of 10.
Originally published as Voter Verdict: What Aussie voters really think of Albanese and Dutton
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