No taboos, no holds barred. Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton set new battlelines

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have both delivered the most important parliamentary speeches of their lives, which have set the tone and character of the next 18 months of politics.

The firmament has shifted, from here on in there will be no backing down, no taboos, no holds barred, no prisoners, no excuses, no apologies and no leeway for prime ministerial trips.

The Prime Minister accused the Opposition Leader of being beyond contempt for politically “weaponising anti-Semitism” and Dutton accused Albanese of going “missing in action” while the cohesion and security of Australians are at risk. Both leaders displayed a strength of passion that betrayed their genuine feelings and the pressure they are under. This is a pivotal moment in the life of the Albanese government and his leadership. Dutton has committed himself “all in” to a strategic attack on Albanese and his government.

Both leaders could benefit or suffer from the unleashed emotions over the Hamas attacks on Israel, Israeli responses in Gaza, and the rise of anti-Semitism and Palestinian casualties. As well, Dutton drew in Labor’s handling of the High Court’s order to release 83 criminals, including murderers, rapists and pedophiles, into the community and highlighted that Albanese was leaving for the US – his 21st international visit since becoming Prime Minister. For all the attention and angst about the Israeli issue, anti-Semitism, Palestinian casualties and even the High Court’s mass release of hardcore criminals, it is the international travel that threatens Albanese the most. He knows there is deepening resentment among voters about his travel and particularly going to the US for the second time in three weeks when there are clearly concerns about community cohesion and security.

Even if it’s not for a holiday, people don’t like the Prime Minister travelling at times of national tension and crisis, not to mention the crushing cost of living.

Peter Dutton has committed himself ‘all in’ to a strategic attack on Labor. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Anthony Albanese accused the Opposition Leader of being beyond contempt for politically ‘weaponising anti-Semitism’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Dutton threw aside conventions on bipartisan support for leader’s trips and accused Albanese of “failing at the first hurdle” when it came to his primary job of caring for the Australian people on both the rise of anti-Semitism and the release of the criminals.

“The first priority for this Prime Minister is not to get on another – yet another plane – and head overseas. Prime Minister, don’t leave Canberra and don’t leave this parliament until legislation has been passed which will give effect to providing safety to the Australian people,” Dutton said.

On the policy towards Israel and the rise of anti-Semitism, Dutton said Labor was split down the middle and speaking out both sides of their mouths.

Essentially, Dutton’s calls for Albanese to stay to pass legislation on immigration detention, call a national cabinet meeting to deal withanti-Semitism rather than go to APEC seemed reasonable but were an impossible ask for Albanese.

Albanese knew the bind he was in and decided to take the debate full on with an impassioned response that had him shaking with anger and indignation.

People don’t like the Prime Minister travelling at times of national tension and crisis, not to mention the crushing cost of living, writes Dennis Shanahan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“There is no issue too big for him to show how small he is,” he said. “And the weaponisation or attempt to weaponise anti-Semitism in this chamber and make it a partisan issue is frankly beyond contempt,” he said. “I make no apologies for standing up against anti-Semitism and I will do it unequivocally. But I also have a track record of standing up for the rights and for justice of Palestinian people and I make no apologies for being a consistent supporter of a two-state solution.”

So ahead of the summer parliamentary recess, the tide of community tension has lifted the temperature of politics and after Wednesday’s fire and emotion there will be no going back. A long, tough political road ahead stretches out towards the next 18 months.