Voters deserve a better debate

That Peter Dutton, the son of a brickie, and Anthony Albanese, the son of a single mum who was an invalid pensioner, have both built multimillion-dollar property portfolios shows much that is good about Australia as a nation of opportunity for those who aspire to work hard, save, and invest well. Credit to both men, neither of whom grew up with a silver spoon in their mouths.

Federal Employment Minister Murray Watt needs to take a broader view rather than condemning the Opposition Leader, who bought his first property when he was 19. “It seems that Peter Dutton doesn’t have a sense of the need for housing to be built for other people rather than himself,” Mr Watt said on Wednesday.

Mr Dutton struck the right note when he said: “I think the Prime Minister is a person of integrity, as I am, and he’s done well. He tells a story of growing up in a housing commission and he’s now a multi-millionaire with property. Good luck to him.”

Targeting Mr Dutton’s personal finances is a grubby tactic that could backfire against Labor. Most Australians would admire a young policeman who saved and had a go. And voters would have more cause for concern if the leaders of the major parties had not shown the initiative and competence to invest part of their good salaries earned during decades in politics.

The debate needs to shift to more substantial issues than the leaders’ personal finances. Encouraging the aspirations of workers, including young people, through the taxation system and small business opportunities should play a prominent role in the pending campaign.