Jeff Kennett: Peter Dutton reflects the silent majority on race relations, Gaza and nuclear energy

Peter Dutton made the right call on the Voice referendum. And despite shrill protest, his stances on nuclear energy and migration from Gaza are backed in by the quiet Australians who will decide the next election.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was right to oppose the referendum on the Voice to parliament for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people because of the way it was put to the Australian community, and the extreme views and threats expressed by some of its supporters.

Because the silent majority of Australians want an Australia for all, equally.

Not because he does not respect our Indigenous culture, as all fair-minded Australians do.

Dutton, like me, would very much like to see our First Peoples recognised in our Constitution, but then given no special privileges over any other Australians.

The Constitution should be for all Australians equally.

Peter Dutton is being backed by the silent majority, says Jeff Kennett. Picture: Martin Ollman

Dutton is right to advocate the introduction of nuclear energy into Australia’s energy mix.

Most Australians now realise the fervour that has surrounded some sections of the community and media over climate change, and that wind and solar will not provide our energy needs at home and work.

As most countries in the world are showing, you need a mix of energy ingredients, and that includes nuclear.

Most Australians understand we use nuclear in medical research now and have for years, we are going to employ nuclear in our defence forces through the submarines we are purchasing, and employing Australians to build, maintain and man the subs.

Most silent majority voters understand the need for a small nuclear capacity to keep our power on and long-term energy costs down.

Dutton is right to advocate the introduction of nuclear energy. Picture: Supplied

Dutton is right to say while our sympathies are with those who are being subjected to the most terrible carnage in the Middle East, we must have the most stringent systems in place here in Australia and beyond to scrutinise those who are increasingly seeking to settle in Australia.

The silent majority of Australians want that, including those who have chosen Australia as their new home in the past, because we are a safe, peaceful, multicultural country.

Zali Steggall’s outburst in federal parliament last week calling Dutton a racist, was so wrong, and stupid. Totally out of touch with the silent majority of Australians.

We all want peace here and abroad. Right now, the silent majority is increasingly concerned about safety on our streets, without the increased terrorist threats we are being warned about every day.

Steggall and her ilk are increasingly out of touch with the community she represents, and she is no Julia Gillard.

Her contribution only reinforced Dutton’s comments for the most stringent processes before settlement for those fleeing Palestine and Gaza in particular. Until then stop the process.

Let’s face it, one well-trained terrorist can do more damage to fair-minded Australians than anything Steggall might say for a small minority of Australians.

Zali Steggall’s labelling of Dutton a racist was so wrong and stupid. Picture: Martin Ollman

What is happening in the Middle East is appalling, but it was Hamas which started the conflict, and still hold Israeli prisoners.

Hamas continues to hide behind innocent Palestinians, rendering untold pain on the Palestine population and property.

Most fair-minded Australians want in the short term for Hamas to return all remaining Israeli prisoners, a ceasefire and a rebuilding of hope in the region.

The silent majority is tired of protesters invading our universities, damaging property, using our arts establishments as places of protest. And tired of some religious clerics who have settled here or even born here, telling us they do not like our constitution, and we should accept their religious laws.

If they do not want to accept the Australian way of life, our laws, our homogenous environment, opportunities, go somewhere where you feel more at home than living in Australia.

That is what the silent majority of Australians are saying to me.

That is what Dutton is saying. He wants a safe Australia. He wants an end to the division that is being fomented by Steggall, many of the Greens, and Labor-lite Teals.

The silent majority is sick of protesters invading universities and art spaces. Picture: David Crosling

The silent majority of Australians – young and old, male and female – just want peaceful quiet times.

They want our politicians to get us through this inflationary period, and its economic and socially destructive cost-of-living period.

It is not even a matter of Labor or Liberal, for most Australians it is bigger than that.

They just want strength over weakness. Someone who will give vent to their views. Strong but compassionate leadership addressing the priorities in their lives.

Many politicians have failed do so on so many issues, failing to advocate for the things that concern the silent majority. But that is changing, quickly.

When my government in 1992 introduced its reforms for Victoria, 100,000 people stood outside my parliamentary office protesting (peacefully) and calling for my head.

My Treasurer Alan Stockdale said as we looked through the window: “Don’t worry boss, there are 4.5 million Victorians staying at home supporting what we are doing.’’

He was right and it is happening again. Australians want a simple, safe and happy life.

The silent majority will win again.

Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria

Originally published as Jeff Kennett: Peter Dutton reflects the silent majority on race relations, Gaza and nuclear energy