Dutton vows to end waste, produce more petrol, prioritize safety, criticizes Labor and wants to challenge Albanese ahead of the upcoming election.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has ruled out competing with Labor for temporary handouts aimed at easing pressure on the cost of living.
In a speech marking his return to work ahead of the May election, Mr Dutton sought to appeal to central Australia by promising to cut wasteful spending, increase gas production and improve community safety.
He contrasted himself with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and attempted to portray Labor as a one-term government.
Mr Dutton said that if elected, his first call would be to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to restore relations, which he said Labor had hampered by supporting Palestinians and neglecting anti-Semitism.
There were no new policy announcements in his address, but he reflected his values informed by a working-class Brisbane upbringing.
He accused the Albanian government of prioritizing the interests of the inner city over everyday Australians, including workers, families and small businesses.
Currently, polls suggest a close race between the Coalition and Labor, potentially leading to a stalemate in Parliament and complex negotiations. Labor holds a calculated 77 seats in the House of Commons, while Mr Dutton has 58 seats and needs to win back the Liberals' lost seats from the poor independents.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King condemned Mr Dutton, saying he lacked solutions and a comprehensive plan to ease the cost of living.
She claimed his political tactics focused on division rather than constructive ideas, adding that he had opposed various measures intended to benefit Australians.