This is so dangerous. Dutton is basically weaponising the chances of a recession for political gain. The ‘tsunami’ wave he has spoken about is not something Australia has control over, to the extent that it has been proven time and time again that Trump can’t be appealed to on a rational basis. And Dutton has said that they would have the same no go areas as the government in terms of negotiations – he has just said that he would tie Australia even closer to the US and buy even more from them in terms of AUKUS defence contracts.

That is what he has said he would do. And now he is saying that a recession would happen under Labor, just as a political point in an election campaign. This is a massive departure from the unspoken rule that you don’t talk up the prospect of recessions unless it is actually happening because you can talk your way into it. Labor danced on this line during the Frydenberg years, but didn’t cross it. Seems like all of that is now out of the window.

Q: When you say Australia’s heading into recession under Labor, you can you promise there will be no recession under you?

Dutton:

What I can tell you for almost two years families have lived in a recession already in the country, they’ve gone backwards under this prime minister so when you say who’s delivered a recession, the Prime Minister has. The treasurer has. They’ve delivered budget after budget, completely stuffed around for the first 16 months with the voice. They wasted $425 million. The Prime Minister has never apologised for that. Has never apologised.

And I can say to you now if you have a look at the track record of the Coalition when we were in government, we provided support to people, grew the economy, help people through the period of COVID, the economy will always be better managed under a Coalition government and what you’ll seen from a panic treasurer at the moment saying there will be a 50 point reduction in interest rates next month, is broadcasting to the Australian people he believes under his watch there will be a recession. After May 3 we will clean up Labor’s mess. Help families, get electricity and gas prices down, manage the economy so we can lower inflation, help young Australians achieve the dream of home ownership again which has been lost under the government, we will make sure health services are first-class properly funded and provide support families missing out of the moment. Bulk billing has plummeted under Mr Albanese. That’s what will take to the next election. That can give Australians every assurance better days will be ahead because a Labor-Greens government will see higher inflation and higher and not lower interest rates.