Teals call out ‘political mudslinging’, but hold back on Anthony Albanese

Teal MPs have criticised political leaders for exchanging insults, but declined to single out Anthony Albanese for escalating his personal attacks on Peter Dutton for being ‘nasty’.

Independent MPs have called for an end to mudslinging and personal insults in public debate as a federal election looms. Picture: NewsWire / Gary Ramage

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

Teal MPs are reluctant to single out Anthony Albanese for escalating his personal attacks against Peter Dutton for being “nasty”, but have urged the importance that political debate remain focused on policy.

The independent MPs, who campaigned on a platform to restore integrity and respect to politics, have called for an end to mudslinging and personal insults in public debate as a federal election looms.

The Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader have ramped up their personal attacks on each other this week, with Mr Albanese declaring his political opponent was “plain nasty”, “cold-hearted” and “mean spirited”.

Mr Dutton has hit back at the Labor leader for being the “weakest prime minister since Federation”, who could not point to any wins since he assumed office three years ago.

Warringah MP Zali Steggall, who won her Sydney north shore seat in the 2019 election, was the only one of the independent MPs approached by The Australian who criticised Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton directly for their level of political debate.

“The devastation of the LA fires serves as a stark reminder of the serious risks our communities face from disasters supercharged by climate change, preparing and protecting and mitigating these risks should be the focus of anyone wanting to form government, not childish barbs,” Ms Steggall said.

“Australians are facing serious issues and the childish name-calling by both Peter Dutton and the Prime Minister is disrespectful to them.”

Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, who was among the six independent MPs who defeated moderate Liberals in traditionally blue-ribbon seats in the 2022 election, said “all politicians should be focusing on the policy, not personal attacks”.

Independent MPs Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink and Allegra Spender. Picture: Martin Ollman

North Sydney MP Kylea Tink, who has ruled out running for the lower house in the upcoming election after her seat was abolished in a redraw of electoral boundaries, cautioned against allowing political debate to “(sink) into the sandpit”.

“If we are to move forward positively as a nation we need substantive, respectful debate on the policies that will shape our future,” Ms Tink said. “All parties, including politicians, commentators and the media, should be rising to the occasion rather than sinking into the sandpit.”

Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps said voters wanted to see quality political debate rather than a “mud slinging match”.

“The philosophy for our campaign and volunteers is to be polite and respectful, but we will call out efforts to mislead voters,” Dr Scamps said.

“Australians want a constructive debate on policy priorities, not a mudslinging match.”

Mr Albanese is preparing to run a negative campaign against Mr Dutton focused on the Liberal leader’s personality in his bid to win a second term in government, declaring his opponent represents a “cold-hearted, mean-spirited, sometimes just plain nasty response and that’s not going to help people”.

Pressed this week on whether politics needed to be “that personal”, Mr Albanese responded: “Peter Dutton has built a career on dividing people. He’s built a career on targeting people, particularly people who are vulnerable.

“He’s never sought to bring people together, which is why his own party rejected him and elected Scott Morrison as leader, even though Scott Morrison had a very small base of support because they understood that he represented a shift to a hard right version of the Liberal Party.”

Labor sources have previously told The Australian that Mr Albanese intended to run a negative campaign against Mr Dutton’s “arrogant, aggressive and reckless” personality.

In contrast, Mr Dutton intends to attack Mr Albanese for his “broken promises” and “weakness” as a leader to win government.

“If they had a 2½-year period of achievement and of success for our country, they’d be talking about that. But of course they can’t,” Mr Dutton said.