Peter Dutton unveils million dollar investment pitch to tackle crime

Peter Dutton has unveiled a multi million dollar investment pitch to tackle crime and anti-Semitism in the community.

Former cop Peter Dutton will sharpen his law and order pitch to voters with a multi-million dollar investment to tackle neighbourhood crime and anti-Semitism.

After soft-launching his election campaign in the battleground state of Victoria, Mr Dutton will announce a new funding commitment on Monday that bolsters funding for Crime Stoppers.

He will make the announcement in Aston, a Labor held seat the Liberals hope to reclaim at the next election.

The new funding commitment will provide $7.5 million over three years in additional funding to Crime Stoppers.

“Crime Stoppers is an integral part of the efforts of our communities and our law enforcement agencies to disrupt crime,” Mr Dutton told news.com.au.

“As a former police officer, I know first-hand of the incredible work that Crime Stoppers does to keep Australians safe.

“People from around the country willingly provide information to Crime Stoppers that prevents, stops and helps solve crime because people are assured their anonymity is respected.”

Shadow Minister James Paterson said the Coalition’s commitment to expanding funding for Crime Stoppers was needed now more than ever.

Peter Dutton has pitched a multi-million dollar investment. Picture: NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

“It is the Albanese Labor government’s weakness and incompetence on crime and community safety has put Australians at risk,” he said.

“This funding will allow Crime Stoppers to help address the antisemitism and extremism crisis we have seen over the past year.”

In 2023, almost 4,000 arrests and 10,000 charges were laid because of information provided by the community through Crime Stoppers.

On average, there is one contact to Crime Stoppers made every minute across Australia.

Dutton earlier opened up about how investigating horrific crimes as a cop shaped the politician he is today revealing the protection of “women and children” still drives him.

The former drug squad cop who also worked investigating child sex crimes has outlined his personal story of growing up in the outer suburbs in a working-class family in a major speech outlining why he wants to be Australia’s next Prime Minister.

Outlining why respect for the rule of law was still important to him today, he pledged to adopt a tough on crime approach if elected.

“I first worked in uniform responding to some terrible incidents – like violent domestics, fatal motor vehicle accidents and suicides,’’ Mr Dutton said.

“But I also saw the wonderful side of society – of people willing to help others in their darkest hour.

“I then became an investigator of organised crime, drug trafficking and sex offenders.

“With all I saw, the protection of women and children is something that continues to drive me today.”

Peter Dutton was a Queensland police officer before entering politics. Supplied

Mr Dutton said the protection of women and children drive him. Picture:

Peter Dutton and ‘scars’ from trauma

Opposition leader Dutton has previously conceded he likely experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his time in the Queensland police force.

“I was a 19-year-old when I started policing and I had a fairly sheltered life in retrospect and I just hadn’t been exposed to that side [of life] and the viciousness of some people, the depravity of others,” he told ABC TV’s Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb.

“I can remember going to crime scenes where a young girl had been raped and to this day, I can still remember the full name of the victim, the offender, the dates of birth, the times and still picture that scene.

“Because that was the most traumatic moment in that person’s life and you’re sharing that journey with them.

“It jars and I think it scars as well. I mean people would refer to it, I suppose, more frequently now as sort of a PTSD or just the mental hangover of seeing that repeatedly.”

When asked if he believed he had experienced some post-traumatic stress as a result of his policing career, Mr Dutton said:

“I think probably every police officer does, to be honest, because I just don’t think you can live that life without it having an impact on you.”

He said being a police officer has had a big impact on him. Pic Glenn Barnes.

Mr Dutton said he has seen some “horrific” cases. Picture: Image/Mick Tsikas

Mr Dutton said he did not receive any formal treatment or counselling.

“It can develop [into] … a bit of a siege mentality because you’re dealing with, you know, 10 per cent of society who … are really difficult,” he said.

“Not letting [your children] out of your sight. I think there’s even a little bit more than the normal parenting because you’ve seen, you know, some horrific cases where kids have been abducted or assaulted.

“At parks and in those sort of public places … I think it always weighs on your mind.”

Mr Dutton said the things he has seen weigh on his mind. Picture: Image/Glenn Hunt

Peter Dutton on his “working class” childhood”

Mr Dutton said in his speech that working hard and the dream of home ownership was also a big part of his younger years.

“I was born into an outer suburbs working-class family,’’ he said.

“Mum and Dad – a secretary and bricklayer – didn’t have much money, but they worked hard every day and raised their five children with love, support, and a strong work ethic.

“From Grade 7 through to university, I threw newspapers, had a lawn mowing run, and worked in a butcher’s shop after school and on Saturdays.

“I saved diligently to afford a house deposit. Buying my first home aged 19 was one of my proudest achievements.

“In that butcher’s shop job – and in my Dad’s building business – I saw the hard work required to run a small business.

“That experience equipped me later in life with the mindset to run my own successful small business that employed 40 people.

“I completed a Business degree and was a Queensland Police Officer for nine years.”

He said he grew up working class and buying his first home at 19 was a huge achievement. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Dutton entered parliament at the 2001 election defeating the sitting MP Cheryl Kernot.

“I’ve seen seven prime ministers in action, served under four, and learnt from observing all,’’ he said.

“Being a minister – including in cabinet – was an honour. “

He then served as Health Minister, Home Affairs Minister and Immigration Minister and Defence Minister claiming that getting kids out of detention was important to him.

“As Immigration Minister, I kept the people smugglers out of business,’’ he said.

“I removed all children from detention.

“And I resettled 4,000 vulnerable Yazidis – especially women and children – who have new lives in Australia, free from Islamic State’s barbarism.

“As Defence Minister, I delivered record funding for our men and women in uniform.

“I played a pivotal role in establishing AUKUS. And I laid the foundations for our missile enterprise.

Mr Dutton said under his leadership the Liberal Party was “united”.

“We’ve done the hard yards in developing policies.

“And we’ve engaged in a civilised battle of ideas.”

“Our prosecution of the ‘No’ case helped defeat our nation’s most divisive referendum.

“We halted Labor’s Orwellian Misinformation Bill – which will never be resurrected under a government I lead.”

“With Labor acting like an opposition in government, we’ve acted like a government in opposition – especially in cleaning up their immigration shambles.

“Australians are best served by smaller government which gets off their back, supports free enterprise, and rips up regulation.

“But government does have a role to play in getting the big things right.”

Originally published as Peter Dutton unveils million dollar investment pitch to tackle crime