Dutton starts well but will he deliver?

Dutton starts well but will he deliver?

With the federal election looming, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s speech in Melbourne on Sunday kicked off his pitch for the Prime Ministership.
He offered a blend of promising commitments and lingering ambiguities.

Family First cautiously welcomes his address and provides the following analysis.

A Stand Against Identity Politics, but What Does that Mean?

Dutton’s stance against identity politics is significant. He stated, “I believe in egalitarianism, in judging people by the content of their character, and in pushing back on identity politics.”

While this is a promising declaration, it leaves critical questions unanswered.

Does this mean he will protect girls’ and women’s sports from the encroachment of biological males?

Will he take definitive steps to close harmful child gender clinics and remove gender fluid ideology from childcares centres, schools and universities?

Will he fight to overhaul Australia’s regime of anti-free speech laws which punish who dare criticise radical LGBTIQA+ ideology?

Here’s the sentence immediately before his comment about ‘pushing back on identity politics’:

“I believe in my heart that we must preserve the innocence of childhood, and nurture young minds in a responsible way.”

This is a very important statement and it should be significant that he linked it to identity politics.

One of the biggest thefts of children’s innocence is the LGBTIQA+ political movement which uses the education system and events like Drag Queen Story Time to induct children into dangerous ideas like gender fluid ideology and LGBTIQA+ sexual expressionism.

Is Dutton signalling a Coalition Government will take action?

Family First welcomes what seems to be a good intention but is concerned the Coalition will lack the courage to take on the LGBTIQA+ political movement.

It could be fighting for the innocence of children now, and winning votes, but it’s parliamentarians are largely silent.

Scott Morrison made similar noises about pushing back on “gender whisperers” but in the end threw his own party’s advocates for change, Senator Claire Chandler and Katherine Deves under the bus.

These are vital issues for Australian families that remain unaddressed in his speech.

The Importance of Freedom of Speech

Dutton’s promise to uphold freedom of speech is commendable: “We halted Labor’s Orwellian Misinformation Bill, which will never be resurrected under a government I lead.” However, Family First must express concern over the inconsistency between this commitment and his abortion gag order, which limits MPs’ freedom to express pro-life views.

Sadly state Liberal leaders like David Crisafulli in Queensland and Vincent Tarzia have imposed similar gags on speaking about abortion.

For freedom of speech to be genuine, it must extend to all topics, including the defence of the unborn, and babies born alive after failed abortions.

Championing Family values

Dutton’s recognition of the family as the cornerstone of society resonates deeply with Family First’s values.

He declared, “I believe that family is the most important unit in society. Strong and supported families make for a confident and resilient country.”

That’s fantastic but how does the Liberal Party define family?

Will a Dutton Government protect women and babies from being exploited by gay married men seeking to acquire babies through surrogacy?

Will a Dutton Government use the levers of public policy to prefer and incentivise heterosexual marriage?

Promoting National Identity

Dutton’s defence of national pride, particularly his support for Australia Day and the Australian flag, reflects a commitment to preserving our cultural heritage amid increasing attacks on national identity.

After years of the woke left’s anti-Australia cultural Marxism, this is a welcome change.

No one believes we should whitewash the blemishes of our past but neither should we promote self-loathing of what is a remarkable Australian achievement over more than 200 years.

Children must be encouraged to be proud of their nation and compassionate and generous towards those who are yet to enjoy its full benefits.

Energy and Leadership

On energy, Dutton’s plan to “replace the existing coal generation network with zero-emission nuclear technologies” on retired coal-fired power plant sites is a forward-thinking approach that aligns with Family First’s advocacy for a coal/gas-to-nuclear transition.

It prioritises reliable and affordable energy while minimising the damaging environmental impact of industrial solar panels on prime land and windmills on hill tops and off shore.

However, it’s crucial that his government provides a clear roadmap to implement this vision effectively.

Dutton’s criticism of weak leadership also struck a chord: “Weak leaders create hard times, but strong leaders create better times.”

This pointed critique of the Albanese government underscores the need for a decisive and principled leader who can reverse Australia’s economic and social decline.

Tax Policies

Dutton pledged to deliver “lower, simpler, fairer taxes” and criticised Labor’s proposed taxes on unrealised capital gains and retirement savings.

“Your super is your money, not the government’s,” he said, emphasising the Coalition’s commitment to protecting Australians’ financial futures. This focus on reducing tax burdens and safeguarding superannuation aligns with the need to empower families and small businesses.

Immigration and Housing Policies

Dutton highlighted the impact of Labor’s immigration policies, noting that “a record one million migrants have arrived in Labor’s first two years.”

He proposed a two-year ban on foreign investors purchasing existing Australian homes and reducing the permanent migration program by 25% for two years.

To address the housing crisis, the Coalition has committed $5 billion to support essential infrastructure for housing projects and aims to build 500,000 new homes.

Australia’s Sliding Door Moment

Dutton declared that this election is “a sliding door moment for our nation,” presenting Australians with a stark choice between the decline of a Labor government or a revitalised future under the Coalition.

This echoes the recent repudiations of woke agendas in countries like New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, where Jacinda Ardern, Justin Trudeau, and Joe Biden have faced mounting public backlash for their so-called progressive policies.

Will Australians follow suit and reject the divisive policies of Anthony Albanese’s government?

Family First hopes so and is providing non-woke candidates across the nation as voting options so a clear message can be sent.

The Path Forward

While Dutton’s speech offers hope, Family First urges him to provide greater clarity and stronger commitments on key cultural issues.

Will he protect the rights of women and girls? Will he ensure freedom of speech extends to defending the unborn and critiquing LGBTIQA+ politics?

And will he take the necessary steps to remove harmful ideologies from schools? These questions remain unanswered.

Australians now face a crucial decision. As Dutton himself said, “The newly elected Coalition government is the last chance to reverse this decline.”

It’s time for voters to demand clear, actionable policies that prioritise families, freedom, and a return to common sense.

This election could indeed mark a turning point for Australia, but only if leaders rise to the occasion and deliver the strong, principled governance our nation deserves.

Family First’s candidates are doing their bit to allow Australians to send a clear pro-family, pro-child, pro-Australia, pro-prosperity message at the ballot box.