Prime minister ridiculed as LNP eyes state prize

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has rallied the party faithful at a Queensland gathering of the LNP. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has ridiculed the prime minister's confidence that things will improve for Australians, as he declared the federal and state coalition parties are in a strong position to win government.

Mr Dutton detailed his party's ambitions in a speech to the annual Queensland LNP convention on Saturday when he championed his state counterpart David Crisafulli, ahead of the October state poll, and attacked Anthony Albanese's record.

In an interview with News Corp, Mr Albanese said "it is going to get better" for struggling Australians thanks to Labor's "short-term cost-of-living relief that's immediate in a way that makes the economy in the medium term better".

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton
Peter Dutton used his speech to mock an interview Anthony Albanese gave to News Corp.

But Mr Dutton said the prime minister had "no positive message" to convey after two years in government, as a federal election looms in 2025.

He pointed to the failed voice referendum, repeating his argument that the proposal had no detail, and Labor's 2022 election "promise" to cut household electricity bills by $275. 

Labor put a timeframe on that forecast, saying its Powering Australia policy would lower household electricity bills by $275 by 2025.

"The prime minister now is telling us that there are better times ahead, even though every credible economic analyst in the country is saying interest rates are likely to go up again for the 13th and 14th time," Mr Dutton said.

"He can't give you the detail about how he will make things improve."

The federal coalition is in a strong position to win the next election with a back-to-basics economic plan and a plan for record investment in nuclear energy capability, Mr Dutton argued.

"We are credible, we have momentum that we're putting pressure onto a bad government (and) we are a united team," he told the party faithful in Brisbane.

David Crisafulli (left) with federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton
Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli could be the state's next premier.

Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud also addressed the convention on Saturday and contrasted the coalition's plan for nuclear power stations to Labor's renewable energy policies.

"We're taking the courageous position, Peter Dutton and I, to give Australians an alternative way, an alternative way to ensure their future, not for the next 15 years, while a (wind) turbine lasts, but for the next 80 to 100 years. That's vision," he said.

Mr Crisafulli has repeatedly said nuclear energy isn't part of his party's plans, despite the federal coalition's promotion of the technology.

Mr Dutton also praised his Queensland state counterpart, describing Mr Crisafulli as a thoughtful and practical leader.

"We can achieve government because (Queenslanders) respect a leader who has not only demonstrated a plan to end their despair, but a leader who has a vision to revitalise the state," Mr Dutton said.

"David hit the nail on the head in his recent budget reply speech when he said Queensland is gripped by four major crises: a cost of living crisis, a youth crime crisis, a health crisis, and a housing crisis."

Some 900 delegates are attending the convention and LNP delegates have had 173 policy items to discuss across the three-day event, which began on Friday.

Mr Crisafulli will address the faithful on Sunday. 

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store