Peter Dutton gives his take on outrageous Paul Keating interview

Peter Dutton has issued a scathing review of a former prime minister’s explosive interview, likening it to a skit from a comedy show.

Peter Dutton has come out swinging against former prime minister Paul Keating after a sensational interview appearance.

Mr Keating blasted some of the nation’s most senior journalists and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong following the landmark AUKUS agreement.

Today host Karl Stefanovic asked for the Opposition Leader’s thoughts during his regular Friday appearance on the morning TV show alongside Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

“Pete, real popcorn moment for you I guess. I know you're going to exploit the great divisions inside Labor right now,” Stefanovic said.

Former prime minister Paul Keating gave a sensational interview at the National Press Club of Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Dutton let out a chuckle and said, “I thought it was like a scene out of The Comedy Company where you had old Uncle Arthur in the sherry cabinet.

“There he was abusing family members.”

He went on to describe Mr Keating as the “crazy old uncle” and said it was “sad” to watch the interview unfold.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called Mr Keating the ‘crazy old uncle’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“We've all been on the end of Paul Keating sprays but it was a special effort this week,” Mr Dutton said.

The former prime minister came down hard on reporters who questioned his criticism of the multibillion-dollar nuclear submarine deal at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

“You haven't received a briefing on the issue since the mid-1990s. Could you be out of touch on this issue?” he was asked.

“Because I’ve got a brain. And I can think. And I can read. And I read every day,” he responded matter of factly.

“What would be the point of China wanting to occupy Sydney and Melbourne? Militarily? And could they ever do it?”

Mr Keating, who has opposed the AUKUS agreement since it was announced by the Morrison government, argued that China was not a threat to Australia.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who wrote his PhD on Paul Keating, said the former treasurer and prime minister had “earned the right” to express his view.

“But I don’t share it, and the government doesn’t share it,” Dr Chalmers told ABC Radio.

“And he’s particularly wrong when it comes to my colleagues.”

Dr Chalmers said he spoke to the Labor luminary “sometimes multiple times a week”, and would continue to seek his advice, particularly on the economy.

“When Paul Keating speaks, it has an impact on the national political debate. But that doesn’t mean that we have to share his view,” he said.

“Paul Keating is someone who is important to me, my friendship with Paul means a lot to me, but that doesn’t mean that I have to agree with him in every instance. I don’t in this instance.

“Of course I’ll keep talking to him, and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.”

Earlier, former Labor treasurer and party president Wayne Swan said he respected the role of “healthy debate” but that Mr Keating’s views were not the views of the party.

“They’re certainly not the views of the government,” he told Nine News.

“He is an ex PM, he’s entitled to put his views publicly but the government has established a pretty firm position.”