Peter Dutton claims Aussie renters are ‘more inclined’ to vote Labor before their ‘views mature politically’

The Liberal leader fired a savage shot at the PM and offered a bold take about the millions of Aussies who rent in an exclusive interview with news.com.au.

EXCLUSIVE

Peter Dutton has declared the dream of home ownership is central to helping younger Australians get ahead and even vote for the Coalition, revealing renters are more likely to vote for Labor.

Accusing the Prime Minister of “creating the housing crisis” by turbocharging immigration, Mr Dutton has outlined his plan to help younger workers in an exclusive interview with news.com.au.

Despite the fact he’s nearly a decade younger than the Prime Minister – the Liberal leader was born in 1970 – the polls suggest that the majority of younger voters are voting for the Greens or Labor.

One of the reasons he believes more younger voters are voting for Labor relates to the fact they are being forced to rent for longer.

“And for a lot of young people, it’s probably not until they buy a home and have a mortgage that they start to worry about economic management and job security,’’ Mr Dutton told news.com.au.

Peter Dutton (pictured with wife Kirrily) has offered a bold take about Aussie renters. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

Mr Dutton, who bought his first home at 19 after “saving diligently”, acknowledged the housing crisis meant it was a harder road for young Aussies today.

“People are renters for longer, and generally that means that they’re more inclined to support the Labor Party. Then, as their views mature politically, they come across to the Liberal Party,’’ he said.

“Generally speaking, people in that 18 to 24 age bracket and maybe a little bit higher now, particularly given housing affordability has become a massive issue.

Mr Dutton said he was “proud” that he and his dad had made money investing in real estate and flipping houses.

“Young Australians now are starved of that opportunity,’’ he said.

“I just think people who at the moment are paying 30 per cent more for their groceries, whether younger or older.

“Just getting hammered. And the question is, how can we help those young Australians and Australians across the board?

“Once they have kids, they start to think about superannuation when they get a bit older.

“I just think that’s historically been the case, regardless of the age of the respective leaders.”

The Liberal leader said Anthony Albanese was an ‘old bloke trying to be hip’. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen

‘Delulu with no solulu’

Dismissing baby boomer Anthony Albanese’s use of the Gen Z sledge that he is “delulu with no solulu”, Mr Dutton said the Prime Minister was “an old bloke trying to be hip”.

Mr Albanese has hooked into the slogan in recent weeks, which translates as “delusional with no solution”.

But the Liberal leader, who remains behind in the polls with younger voters, has told news.com.au he won’t be adopting any Gen Z catch phrases to court the cringe factor or the youth vote.

“I just think it’s an old bloke trying to be hip and, uh, trying to form a connection with people,’’ Mr Dutton said.

“It’s the DJ stuff and all of that. It’s part of his character and, good luck to him.

“That’s part of his character and good luck to him. That’s fine. I consider myself to be a genuine person.

“I’m not a stand-up comedian. I have a pretty definite view in terms of wanting to support people and particularly younger people to get into home ownership and find a way through the economic mess.”

Mr Dutton in 1989 as the Liberal candidate for the then-seat of Lytton. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Mr Dutton (with his grandmother) in his police uniform. Picture: Supplied

Peter Dutton’s tax deductions for first home buyers

The Coalition’s housing policies will allow first home buyers who buy a new house or apartment as their principal place of residence, will be able to deduct the interest paid on the first $650,000 of their mortgage.

There is no cap on the mortgage size or home price.

Individuals earning up to $175,000 and joint buyers with a combined income of up to $250,000 will qualify.

They will also expand the Home Guarantee Scheme that allows first home buyers to purchase a property with a deposit of 5 per cent.

Mr Dutton also wants to allow first home buyers the choice to access up to $50,000 from their super towards a deposit to buy their first home.

The money withdrawn from super would need to be returned when the house is sold to support retirement.

Dutton pictured embracing his wife Kirrily at a rally. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire

So, why cap it at 50,000?

“Well, it provides us some balance because you still want to preserve some money within the super fund, so it can compound to provide you with support in retirement,’’ Mr Dutton said.

Mr Dutton said younger Australians should try to get into the housing market as soon as possible.

“That would be, you know, the advice of any financial adviser,’’ he said.

“If you can afford to get into a home and you’ve paid a reasonable price and uh, it’s within your budget, then that is a much better financial decision for you.

“And it allows young people a choice then to maybe start a business, you know, micro business in the back bedroom, something online, something out of the garage.

“And generally speaking, the bank will require a home as security for that business. Secondly, it allows people to have a stable relationship, an environment where you can raise kids.

“If you’ve got a roof over your head and you’re not worried about being kicked out as a tenant, it means that if you can pay it off by the time you get to retirement, you are in a much better position.”

“As we’ve seen over the last few years, your net asset position … would be hundreds of thousands of dollars better off, if you had been able to access that super, you know, five or 10 years ago to get into a home.”

Mr Dutton with his family at the Liberal Party launch. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire

Why Peter Dutton wants to cut migration

Mr Dutton has committed to reducing migration by around 100,000 people each year.

“We’ve had massive demand for housing, and not just from Australians, but over the last two years, the government’s brought in about a million people,’’ Mr Dutton said.

“So naturally enough, they want a house for their family and they are competing in auctions and in rental applications with young Australians.

“And I think that’s been unfair. And that’s the housing crisis that the Prime Minister created.

“So we cut migration and that reduces the demand on housing.”

Mr Dutton said successive governments had also adopted a “university first” approach and failed to ensure there were enough apprentices, including to build houses.

“A university first policy and you’re a failure if you’re going into a trade.

“So I think they’ve discouraged young people from taking up a trade.”

As he headed into the final days of the campaign, Mr Dutton said he was still confident of winning.

“I feel good actually,’’ he said.

“I think we’re either running on adrenaline or we’ve found some sort of superpower.

“But there’s a good response out there and we underestimate how many people are disengaged from the political process and are just starting to switch on.”