Expect more from the LNP as the push to show ‘the Real Peter Dutton’ continues
Expect to see more of the “real Peter Dutton” as the LNP works to rebrand the Opposition Leader’s public image ahead of the upcoming Fadden by-election.
QLD News
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The LNP is working to broaden the public perception of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, with videos and similar projects to be developed as part of a rebrand in the coming months.
It follows the recent release of a video on “the real Peter Dutton”, featuring interviews with Bruce and Denise Morcombe, a Syrian refugee family and the parents of a deceased Australian veteran talking about Mr Dutton’s empathy.
The Opposition leader was on the Gold Coast on Friday, where he is expected to spend more time in the next three weeks in the lead up to the Fadden by-election being contested by LNP candidate Cameron Caldwell.
Cost of living will be the focus of the campaigning and, while it is expected to be a clear victory for the LNP which holds the seat by 10.6 per cent, success will be measured on the size of the swing toward or against the Opposition.
Insiders say it will indicate whether or not its lines of cost-of-living are cutting through more strongly than during the Aston by-election loss earlier this year, as the price crunch becomes more acute.
“By-elections are always a tight fight,” Mr Dutton said on Friday.
“We have the opportunity here to refresh and bring somebody into Fadden who will be a great local champion.
“I don’t think we could have preselected a better candidate for this by-election.”
Mr Dutton dismissed questions over what impact the former Fadden MP Stuart Robert would have on the by-election, with Labor targeting his role in the Robodebt scandal and his ties to lobbyists.
There was a 6.4 per cent swing to Labor in the Aston by-election, the first time in about 100 years a government won a by-election, which was a blow to Mr Dutton’s leadership.
Meanwhile, party insiders confirmed there would be more videos and attempts to show other sides of Mr Dutton, saying the initial version had been “well received”.
The video is said to be not a direct response to internal polling but showing the “likeable bloke” seen by those that know him.
During the week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took aim at the video launched last week titled “The Peter Dutton I know”.
“What those opposite don’t seem to get is that we do know this bloke. Australians do know this bloke,” he said.
“They know he said no to help with their power bills. They know he said no to secure jobs and better pay.”
Challenged on an assertion that Mr Dutton had used the winter break “to reflect on his behaviour”, the Opposition leader instead pointed to the conduct of the Prime Minister.
“The Prime Minister at the start of this parliamentary term said he wanted a kinder, gentler, parliament and yesterday he was in the parliament yelling personal abuse – unsubstantiated, at me and others,” he said.
“Frankly the rank hypocrisy here from the Prime Minister is quite remarkable.”
Originally published as Expect more from the LNP as the push to show ‘the Real Peter Dutton’ continues
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