Labor launches attack ad against Peter Dutton

Labor unveils a Victorian ad highlighting what it believes is its secret weapon in the state.

The Labor Party has released an attack ad targeting Peter Dutton. Supplied: ALP/Facebook

Labor has launched a new Victorian attack highlighting what it believes is its secret weapon in the state — Peter Dutton.

As Scott Morrison campaigned alongside Dutton supporter Michael Sukkar in his seat of Deakin today, Labor released the new ad asking: “How much will Peter Dutton and the Liberals stand up for Victoria?”

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Ignoring the fact that Mr Morrison won the ballot for the Liberal leadership, it focuses entirely on Mr Dutton, accusing him of trying to give the big banks a $17 billion tax cut, and slashing billions from schools and hospitals.

It also focuses on his leadership ambitions, and his support from Victorian right wingers, including Mr Sukkar, Greg Hunt and Kevin Andrews, saying “He voted to make himself prime minister, twice.”

How much will Peter Dutton and the Liberals stand up for Victorians? Let's check.

Posted by Australian Labor Party on Sunday, 14 April 2019

Asked today about Mr Sukkar’s support for Mr Dutton in last year’s leadership ballots, and whether it was contributing to the government’s difficulties in Deakin and Victoria, Mr Morrison said: “That is such a bubble question, I’m just going to leave that one in the bubble.”

It’s understood internal Labor Party polling shows the Queensland hardliner is damaging to the Liberal brand in Victoria, and could be a decisive factor in the race for Deakin, as well as seats like Aston, held by Dutton supporter Alan Tudge, and Flinders, held by Mr Hunt.

Labor campaign material highlights the fact that Mr Sukkar, a former assistant treasurer was the first government frontbencher to step down from his post when Mr Dutton revealed he was seeking the Liberal leadership, and was one of the first to sign a petition calling for a spill motion against Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Dutton, who is also under pressure in his own seat of Dickson, recently apologised after accusing his Labor rival of using her disability “as an excuse” for not living in the electorate.

Both parties see Victoria as a crucial battleground state in this election, with the Liberal-held seat of Dunkley now notionally Labor after a redistribution, and Corangamite considered a near-certain loss by the Liberal Party.

Chisholm, Deakin and La Trobe are in play, while Labor is also putting resources into safer Liberal territory, adding Aston, Casey and Flinders to its list of target seats.

The toppling of Mr Turnbull was seen as a decisive factor in the Victorian election result, which saw Labor Premier Daniel Andrews re-elected in a landslide.

Mr Dutton is also under pressure in his own seat of Dickson, recently apologising to Labor candidate Ali France after claiming she was using her disability “as an excuse” for not living in the electorate.