Peter Dutton on why he’s the best economic leader since Prime Minister John Howard

Peter Dutton wants Victoria to return to its “manufacturing powerhouse” glory days — and he says with his strong economic leadership skills, he can get us there.

Peter Dutton wants to make Victoria great again, saying it “should be once again that the jewel of the economic crown of Australia” and “a manufacturing powerhouse”.

Speaking ahead of speech Friday to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the federal Opposition Leader believes we should be “looking well beyond the glass ceiling that the Andrews-Allan government’s” have placed on the state.

“We need to make sure that the might of the Victorian Business community is allowed to flex its muscle again so that people can be employed and economic growth can be realised,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Saturday Herald Sun.

Mr Dutton also poured cold water on the Allan Government’s pet project — the Suburban Rail Loop.

“I’m a strong supporter of rail but it’s got to be a realistic project, you can’t have a situation like we see in Victoria at the moment where the Allan Government has ramped debt up to almost $200 billion and pretend that they’re going to find $200 billion more for the Suburban Rail Loop,” he said.

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton poured cold water on the Allan government’s plans for the Suburban Rail Loop. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“I would love to see additional investment into public transport and into infrastructure. But the Victorian Government is in a precarious position. And the taxes that they’ve introduced, the spending that’s been undertaken with the additional public servants that have been employed, it makes it very hard for these projects to be to become a reality.”

In a wide-ranging interview to mark his two years leading the federal Liberals, Mr Dutton said he was determined to fix Australia’s housing crisis, declared he was the best qualified opposition leader on economics since John Howard, and had a business background that, starting from scratch, had seen him make his fortune by the age of 26.

Responding to the suggestion some of his colleagues think he is more comfortable talking about national and community safety than economics, the Opposition Leader said his resume made it clear this was not the case.

“I would be the most qualified opposition leader if economic experience was a prerequisite,” Mr Dutton said. “I would have the most experience of anyone since Howard, coming into this job.

“I made my fortune by 26”: Dutton said he learned a lot about economics from John Howard and Peter Costello. Picture: Martin Ollman

“And … I ran small businesses, which I started from scratch and I’d made my fortune by the time I was 26. I’d employed 40 people. I’ve set up numerous businesses. I’ve got a business degree, and economics is second nature to me. It’s a passion of mine, as well. And I’ve learned a lot from Howard and (Peter) Costello and I would bring all of that into government.”

To win government would require a break with history, as no party has returned to government after one term in opposition. But Mr Dutton thinks it is doable.

“I just think all of that 100 year old political theory is out the window in the modern age. People pay on performance and the Albanese government hasn’t performed. There’s not a single Australian who can say they’re better off today than they were two years ago under this government,” he said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that we can do it. As the economy sours because of Labour’s economic decisions, and three budgets, Australians are going to want back-to-basics on management of the economy and only the Liberal Party can provide that.

“People want to live securely in their community; only a government that I lead can provide that.”

Peter Dutton in his police uniform with his grandmother.

Though he left the police 25 years ago, the experience has stayed with him.

“You’re dealing with 5 per cent of the population who don’t share most of the values that 95 per cent of people do; you’re dealing with a lot of victims who are in the worst hour of their life, and your view can be skewed by that,” he says.

“But what has never left me though, is the difference between right and wrong.

“To be an effective leader you have to be able to make the tough decisions, the decisions that aren’t always popular, but are in a country or community’s best interests.

“And I believe that I’ve got that capacity and skill as opposed to Anthony Albanese, who I think is a nice enough person, but he’s weak and tries to walk both sides of the street.”

And what are the Opposition Leader’s reflections on what went wrong for the Liberals in government?

“That disunity is death. That we need to stand up for our principles and not be Labor-lite. I think we demonstrated that in relation to the Voice.

“I think we’ve demonstrated it in relation to a tough discussion about energy. And I think we’ve demonstrated it in standing up on national security and domestic security issues.”

In hindsight he thinks Scott Morrison’s attempt to govern with the state premiers through national cabinet was a mistake which “undermined the authority” of his office.

On energy, Dutton is clear he is “totally committed” to nuclear power no matter what scare campaign Labor throws at him.

“If the Prime Minister wants to conduct a childish conversation, then that reflects on him,” he said.

Dutton is determined to offer a strong point of difference with Labor on housing. Picture: Martin Ollman

“The government signed up to nuclear reactors sitting at ports in Australia for decades to come – exactly the same technology.

“And there’s no argument in relation to safety or disposal because the government signed up to both of those under AUKUS.”

Along with nuclear energy, Dutton is determined to offer a strong point of difference with Labor on housing.

“It kills me that a young bloke or a young person who works hard, after school to save money, gets a good education, saves money with a part time job, would have no prospect of buying a house even into their late 20s, even if they’ve got a good job.

“The big difference between Anthony Albanese and me at the election is that I’ll be promising a model that helps people achieve their home ownership dream. Anthony Albanese will be promising a model that makes people into lifetime renters.”