Million-dollar battle for Dickson heats up

Millions of dollars and more than 1000 volunteers will be used to decide the fate of the seat of Dickson, as the career of Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton hangs in the balance.

MILLIONS of dollars and more than 1000 volunteers will be used to decide the fate of the seat of Dickson, as the career of Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton hangs in the balance.

While there is a battle between two giants, Labor and the LNP, special interest groups including GetUp! Advance Australia and the Australian Education Union are descending on the 724sq km seat to get involved.

Peter Dutton’s wife defends him, declaring ‘he’s no monster’

Federal Election 2019: YouGov Galaxy poll finds Scott Morrison’s chances of an election win have rebounded

Dutton apologises to rival after disability jibe

Labor’s Dickson candidate holds fundraiser … 1700km south of electorate

GetUp!, which estimates it has 350 volunteers doing mailouts and doorknocking, will increase its activities in the next three weeks.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Labor candidate for Dickson Ali France debating as the campaign for the electorate heats up. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

It will use new technology to start text-message conversations with young voters in its database, from late this week, to target housing ­affordability as an issue, to be followed by a radio advertising blitz in the final days of the campaign.

Labor has been focusing its efforts on reaching moderate Liberal voters, who see climate change and social justice as issues, in a bid to get the seat to change hands to its candidate Ali France.

According to Labor campaigners, Mr Dutton’s own goal in the first week, accusing Ms France of using her disability as an excuse not to move into the electorate, hurt him with that part of his traditional supporter base.

Labor sources estimate Mr Dutton will have spent well in excess of $1 million by the time the campaign is finished, although this number has not been confirmed by the Minister’s camp.

While Mr Dutton’s campaign may be outspending rivals, it faces having to defend itself against the threat of Labor, GetUp! and the unions who are targeting the incumbent MP.

In 2016 Mr Dutton’s office was frequently picketed by GetUp!, union protesters and even bikies, but this has not occurred in the campaign so far.

There was a 5.1 per cent swing against the LNP in Dickson in 2016, leaving Mr Dutton vulnerable with a 1.7 per cent margin.

Originally published as Million-dollar battle for Dickson heats up