Best of luck convincing Gold Coast voters you’re the man for job, Peter
FORMER Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has his work cut out for him if he’s to win over Gold Coast voters.
Many only know who he is because of his challenge to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this week and are unsure of what he does, what he stands for or his history in poli- tics. The Gold Coast Bulletin showed a photograph of Mr Dutton to 47 people yesterday in Runaway Bay, Helensvale, Broadbeach and Palm Beach. Of those, 34 recognised Mr Dutton, but many claimed to know little more. Fifteen of the 34 only knew his surname.
Eliros Fretis from Paradise Point was among those who said she knew who Mr Dutton was, but said she didn’t like him.
Helensvale’s Naomi Matchitt also knew exactly who Mr Dutton was, and was less than impressed with his recent antics.
“What he did was such a dog act,” she said.
“It reminds me of when John Howard was betrayed, just get on with the job, back your boss. The Libs need to get serious about getting our country back on track.”
Coombabah’s Peter Hambly said Dutton was a rat and he wished he didn’t know him.
A visitor from NSW, David Gelme, said he and his wife had sat in on question time before. “But they were all acting like complete children,” he said.
“It’s a sad state of affairs when our country’s leaders are acting that way.”
Carol Pleasant from Emmaville said she was a Labor supporter, but said “Dutton is a good alternative to Turnbull”.
Of those who didn’t know who Dutton was, a majority had no interest in politics and said if they didn’t have to vote, they wouldn’t.
Rhonda Coleman, 68, from Palm Beach, was among many people who said they were tired of the political infighting in Canberra.
“I just wish our politicians would work together and do what they’re elected to do,” she said. “There is so much unrest. I don’t think Dutton would have made the move he did if Tony Abbott wasn’t sticking his nose in – he’s definitely playing the puppeteer.”
Yvette Baddeley, 41, from Labrador agreed, saying: “They’re like kids in kindergarten, carrying on like idiots.”
However Ian Rogers, 64, from Brisbane, was happy with the prospect of Mr Dutton taking over. “I’d vote for him in a heartbeat,” he said. “Much better than Turnbull.”