Email
Peter Dutton has finally delivered us an election cage fight, but unfortunately for him, he finds himself on the ropes, writes Joe Hildebrand.
View in browser 2nd April 2025
 

image

Joe Hildebrand
Federal election correspondent

There are two things that have been missing in this election campaign so far: Structural economic reform and a UFC cage match.

Thankfully Peter Dutton has stepped up to at least deliver the latter, with his vow to fight Donald Trump.

This of course has come as a surprise to many on the right, who quite like Donald Trump. And it has come as a surprise to many on the left, who thought Peter Dutton was Donald Trump.

But this election campaign has been nothing if not full of surprises, and it’s only week one.

EXPLAINED: How Trump's tariffs will impact Australia 

imageThe ‘Drag Race’ by Brett Lethbridge.

Not since Tony Abbott vowed to “shirtfront” Vladimir Putin a decade ago have world leaders been put on notice by the pugilistic skills of a Liberal Leader.

“If I needed to have a fight with Donald Trump or any other world leader to advance our nation’s interests, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Dutton told Sky News this morning.

And good on him. Of course we want Australian politicians to stand up for Australia. There's just one problem.

CLICK HERE FOR JOE HILDEBRAND'S FULL ANALYSIS

Election update
Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a cage fight
Peter Dutton has finally delivered us an election cage fight, but unfortunately for him, he finds himself on the ropes, writes Joe Hildebrand.
READ MORE  
WATCH: Albo snaps at reporter as China accuses Dutton of ‘beating drums of war’
Anthony Albanese has shut down a reporter as Beijing state media unleashed at Peter Dutton, describing Australia’s reaction to a suspected Chinese spy ship as “paranoia”. LATEST UP...
READ MORE  
‘Out of his depth’: Why Howard doesn’t rate Albo
Former prime minister John Howard disagreed with Bob Hawke, but when it comes to Australia’s current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he’s not so sure.
READ MORE  

VIDEO OF THE DAY

image

Why Donald Trump is dominating the election

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton may be campaigning in Melbourne today, but the real election story is happening 16,000km away in Washington DC where Donald Trump is preparing to announce his LIberation Day tariffs.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

image

Read more
Undecided voters unleash on migration and cost of living
Undecided voters in key seats believe Anthony Albanese’s tax cuts are a joke and others are divided on Peter Dutton migration policy saying the leaders are so far unconvincing. See...
READ MORE  
How a sausage can swing it for you in the polls
Politics is all about perception. So can how you’re photographed demolishing a democracy sausage really swing it for a pollie in the polls?
READ MORE  
‘What was she thinking?’: Hadley slams ‘teal’ candidate over joke
Nicolette Boele - the ‘teal’ candidate for Bradfield - told a teenage hairdresser her work ‘was so good... and I didn’t even have sex with you.” Ray Hadley believes it should be en...
READ MORE  
Lib’s cheeky swipe at Monique Ryan as poster scandal rages on
Liberal candidate for Kooyong Amelia Hamer is using the removal of her posters by rival Monique Ryan’s husband to her advantage, poking fun at the debacle in new campaign material.
READ MORE  
Qld teal’s defence of anti-coal hoax that caused $314m stock market slump
A Climate 200-backed Independent trying to unseat Peter Dutton once equated an anti-coal activist whose hoax wiped millions from the stock market as a modern day Rosa Parks.
READ MORE  
Grill the leaders: Ask Albo and Dutton your burning questions
Get unprecedented access to the 2025 federal election campaign with the chance to grill Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on the issues that matter to you. SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS
READ MORE  
Dutton to fight Trump ‘in a heartbeat’ for Australia
Peter Dutton says he will put the “Americans on notice” and stand up to Donald Trump “in a heart beat”as Australia braces for a fresh wave of tariffs from the US President.
READ MORE  
Best of our election race cartoons
These are the best illustrations from our cartoonists who capture the funny side of what’s going on in the federal election race. SEE THE PICTURES.
READ MORE  
How to make extra cash with a federal election job
The upcoming federal election will provide job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Australians. Here’s how to land a role and what you can earn.
READ MORE  
Power players or ‘unfunny clowns’? Greens debate erupts
The Greens: Ultimate disrupters, do-gooders or the future of Australian politics? HAVE YOUR SAY
READ MORE  
Albanese, Dutton grilled over income tax bracket plans
Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese have been grilled by a News Corp reader over their income tax bracket plans. WATCH THE RESPONSE
READ MORE  
‘Thank you, Trump’: Sparks fly over tariff ‘hysteria’
US President Donald Trump is set to announce the full scope of his “Liberation Day” – and the world waits to see what happens. HAVE YOUR SAY
READ MORE  
20 per cent price hit: Aussies warned of Trump tariffs
Hard-hit consumers are being warned of price hits from a global trade war ignited by Donald Trump imposing 20 per cent tariffs.
READ MORE  
Keep up to date with the Herald Sun app: download now
Get the most out of your Herald Sun subscription with our app for smartphones and tablets, including a new must have-recipe section and a feature to gift stories to friends and fam...
READ MORE