Dutton’s pledge as election roadshow rolls into Sydney

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has vowed to bring inflation under control and stop “reckless” government spending, while rallying the party faithful at an event to launch Liberal campaigns in three must-win seats.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has vowed to bring inflation under control and stop “reckless” government spending, while rallying the party faithful at an event to launch Liberal campaigns in three must-win seats.

Bringing his unofficial election roadshow to Sydney, Mr Dutton vowed to build a stronger economy, fight cost-of-living pressures and end anti-Semitism – as he revealed his bold plans for a Coalition government in the electorate of Bennelong on Tuesday.

In the same breath, Mr Dutton rubbished chances of Labor winning a majority at the next federal election.

“If Labor is returned, it can only be in minority form. There is no credible political analyst at the moment who can tell you that Labor can form a majority government after the next election,” Mr Dutton said.

“If the Teals or Greens hold the balance of power in a returned Labor minority government, the worst excesses of the Albanese government won’t be moderated, they’ll be exacerbated.”

The prediction comes as the Coalition vies to win back the key seats of Parramatta, Reid and Bennelong in northern Sydney following their swing to Labor at the last election.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton brought the unofficial election roadshow to Sydney. Picture: Julian Andrews

Despite facing similar battles against the Teals in former Liberal heartlands such as Bradfield, Mr Dutton dismissed the independents and their role in the Albanese government as nothing more than “Greens in disguise”. “The Teals are not disaffected Liberals – let’s be very clear about it. They are pretend,” he said.

In between attacking election rivals, Mr Dutton spelled out his vision for the country while brandishing his booklet of government priorities.

“My friends, we are going to stop reckless spending, not just on extra public servants in Canberra,” he said. “We are going to make sure that we can bring downward pressure on inflation, because that is the best way in which we can help young families who are struggling with mortgages now, but to help young people get into home ownership.

“Interest rates will continue to go up under the Labor Party if they continue to spend money recklessly. It’s what happened under Whitlam, it’s what happened under Hawke and Keating, and it’s what’s happening under Albanese and Chalmers.”

Surrounded by posters calling to “get Australia back on track”, Mr Dutton made a final, personal appeal to young voters. “I feel incredibly passionate about this, because my own story is similar to yours,” he said. “I had to work hard, from a working class family, to provide the deposit to buy a house.

“I couldn’t do that as a 19 year old in the economy today and I don’t want a generation of young Australians to give up the dream of home ownership,” he told supporters.

Originally published as Dutton’s pledge as election roadshow rolls into Sydney