Peter Dutton ‘is nothing more than Scott Morrison 2.0’, says Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese targets Peter Dutton in an election-style speech warning voters it is ‘too important to go back to fear and division’ and accusing his rival of being a carbon copy of Scott Morrison.

Anthony Albanese speaks at an Australian Education Union luncheon in Sydney on Thursday. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Anthony Albanese will launch a major political attack on Peter Dutton in an election-style speech warning voters it is “too important to go back to fear and division” and accusing his rival of being a carbon copy of Scott ­Morrison.

The Prime Minister – who makes no reference to Indigenous Australians or the voice referendum in a speech marking two years since his election victory – will say the nation faces challenges that are “too urgent for a retreat to denial and delay”.

While the bulk of Mr Albanese’s Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue address on Friday is dedicated to the government’s achievements, the Labor leader will frame the Opposition Leader as an anti-business wrecker ­focused only on “political self-­interest”.

Following last week’s budget, Mr Albanese will sharpen the government shift from identity politics to a broad-based election pitch around tax cuts, energy bill relief, higher wages and stronger Medicare for “all Australians”.

The pivot comes amid polling and focus groups showing that voters in outer-suburban areas are becoming disillusioned with the Albanese government as cost-of-living pressures mount.

“I understand Australians are doing it tough right now – and I haven’t forgotten what it’s like to struggle and strive, to worry about your family’s economic security, to wonder if you’ll get the opportunity to pursue your aspirations,” Mr Albanese will say.

While Mr Dutton pledged to “turbocharge mining” during a visit to Western Australia on Thursday, Mr Albanese joined Industry Minister Ed Husic in Brisbane to spruik the government’s national battery strategy.

Painting himself as a nation builder with the vision to accelerate Australia’s future economy and jobs, Mr Albanese on Friday will accuse Mr Dutton of wanting to drag the country “back to the era of conflict fatigue”.

“My opponent goes around telling business leaders who look to work with us that they are ‘supine’ and weak,” he will say.

“But there is a world of difference between talking tough and working hard.

“In politics, wrecking is always easier than building.

“And looking for someone to blame is much simpler than finding a solution.

“But that’s not strength – that’s the soft option. And we know where that takes us.

“We have seen what happens when the only test that politicians apply is their own political self-­interest.

“We saw it with Scott Morrison, we’re seeing it again with Peter Dutton.

“Saying no to everything is the easiest thing to do in opposition – but it builds nothing, it helps no one and it takes our country nowhere.

“Governing Australia requires more than sound bites – you need substantial propositions.”

Mr Albanese will say the “stakes right now are too high for the shallow and shambolic approach we see too often from the opposition … the opportunities we have before us are too big for small-minded negativity”.

In contrast to his election night address that led with a commitment to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart “in full”, Mr Albanese’s two-year anniversary speech will not ­reference the voice referendum defeat or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Mr Albanese will say that “two years ago – almost to the day – I promised as Prime Minister to lead a government for all Australians … our budget kept faith with that in every way: a tax cut for every taxpayer. Help with energy bills for every household – and for small business. Getting wages moving again for workers in every industry. Making Medicare stronger in every community.”

With Labor expected to come under pressure in outer-suburban seats at the next election, Mr Albanese will say “western Sydney reflects the aspiration that drives Australia”.

“While western Sydney may not have vast reserves of nickel or lithium, you are home to a wealth of resources that are absolutely critical to our future,” he will say.

“Great universities and researchers, Australia’s largest health and biomedical research precinct, one of the largest industrial and distribution hubs in the southern hemisphere, dynamic small businesses and start-ups … and diaspora communities that help build and strengthen our international relationships and trade ties.”

Just under a year out from the next election, Mr Albanese will say his government is focused on “Helping with the challenges Australians are facing here and now, building for the opportunities of the decade ahead, delivering the reforms that ensure no one is held back (and) achieving the progress that sees no one left ­behind.”

In a speech to the Australian Education Union on Thursday, Mr Albanese accused Mr Dutton of “attacking” teachers.

“Peter Dutton … sees a group he’s ready to scapegoat every time they aren’t on his same bleak, negative wavelength,” the Prime Minister said.

“I’d encourage him to get out of his grim little echo chamber, park his anger for a few minutes, and take a look at the Be That Teacher campaign.”