Albanese uses Morrison's strategies against Dutton for 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is looking to use tactics employed by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he prepares for the upcoming budget and his continued rivalry with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Albanese intends to highlight Dutton's plans for federal spending cuts to sway voters, similar to Morrison’s strategy in the 2019 election. Morrison successfully painted Labor’s Bill Shorten as a risky choice by focusing on looming tax increases. Albanese hopes to capitalize on Dutton’s reluctance to detail potential budget cuts, which could create unease among voters. This strategy comes during a critical time when the federal budget is in focus. On Sunday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced a $1.8 billion increase in energy subsidies and raised alarms about Dutton's unspecified cuts, suggesting they could hurt essential services like the NDIS and Medicare. Dutton, however, states he is committed to protecting these services but implies that he sees the need for changes to the NDIS. The Coalition's proposed savings might come from cutting approximately 36,000 public servants. This significant reduction could pose risks to essential services, yet Dutton's party has not fully explained how these cuts would be implemented. Some Coalition proposals, including dismantling certain funds, do not tackle the budget deficit effectively. Dutton is expected to unveil significant policy proposals soon, particularly during his budget reply speech. However, he has been criticized for not providing clear plans to improve living standards. His recent policies seem heavily influenced by the government's announcements, leading to skepticism about their originality. As the election approaches, the government has yet to reveal major new budget strategies. Albanians and Chalmers appear to be cautious, likely avoiding bold moves that could increase inflation. Instead, they are likely to continue focusing on what worked for Morrison, particularly highlighting the risks of unspecified cuts associated with Dutton’s plans.