Federal Election 2025: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton face off in WA

Perth was the epicentre of Australian politics on Monday, as Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton brought their bitter battle to town as they desperately scramble for WA votes ahead of the looming Federal election. Both leaders have ramped up their campaigns, with Mr Dutton declaring the election is winnable as the Liberal Party launched a new video that aimed to soften his hard-man image and promote his small business credentials. “I learnt the importance of always turning up and getting on with the job,” he said. “The right decisions aren’t always popular, but I’m not interested in taking the easy path.” The Opposition Leader was given a hero’s welcome by hundreds of supporters at the Claremont Showgrounds where he launched Liberal candidate Tom White’s campaign to oust teal-independent Kate Chaney from Curtin. “I do believe there is a better way,” he said. “I believe we have the experience, we have the principles, we have the policies and we can win.” The western suburbs seat of Curtin was a shock loss in 2022 and is considered a must-win if the Liberals are to secure a path back to power. “I think the momentum is there for change in our country because people are hurting,” Mr Dutton said. “I desperately want to see an interest rate reduction, and I hope that that comes sooner than later because families can’t afford their grocery bills under this Government. “The Government’s created a cost-of-living crisis, they’ve created a housing crisis and they’ve created a safety crisis in our country as well, where many Australians feel unsafe — certainly less safe than they did just a few years ago when Mr Albanese was elected.” Meanwhile the Prime Minister spent 14 hours in Perth, announcing funding for a $700 million upgrade of the Kwinana Freeway to ease the squeeze around a future Westport. “Today’s announcement means that we are now in a position to step forward with that project immediately and as soon as possible,” Premier Roger Cook said. Mr Dutton immediately matched the commitment, promptimg WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam to announce her support for it too, five days after her deputy leader, Steve Martin, said the freeway widening was “not a priority”. “Peter Dutton and I are on an absolute unity ticket when it comes to supporting projects which will create jobs and homes for Western Australians,” Ms Mettam said. But she said WA should fight for an 80-20 funding split, ruled out by Mr Albanese. The PM flew out in the afternoon, after shrugging off his worst ever Newspoll result which showed his popularity was at an all-time low. “Look, we’re out there governing and we’re governing in the interests of the Australian people building Australia’s future,” Mr Albanese said. “What I understand is that I don’t take election wins for granted.” Labor insiders are worried the poll, showing more voters are now tipping a Dutton victory and Labor’s primary vote as low as 31 per cent, is evidence that a January blitz of battleground States failed to make an impact. But Mr Albanese rejected the idea that majority government was now out of reach, with a Federal election having to be held by May 17. “Labor can form government after the next election and we are the only political party that is even trying to form government in our own right,” Mr Albanese said. “We’ll be fighting each and every day to make clear what this election is about ... building Australia’s future, having cost-of-living relief, supporting people who are doing it tough, what we’ve delivered already of tax cuts for everyone rather than just some, cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines, energy bill relief. “All those measures were opposed by the Coalition, so we know what they have in store. They’ve got a $600 billion nuclear fantasy plan, including here at Collie.” Ms Mettam denied she’s at odds with Mr Dutton over his plans to build a nuclear reactor in the South West town in the 2040’s. She’s previously said “now is not the time” for nuclear in WA and on Monday she maintained it should not be a short-term priority. “We are not against nuclear energy, but the priority, given Roger Cook wants to rip out 1000MW of baseline energy by 2030, we need that gas straight away,” she said. Asked whether a nuclear reactor in Collie was economically viable, she replied: “Our position is about what’s required in Western Australia right now. “Roger Cook’s plan will lead to more blackouts, our plan is about reliable, affordable energy and bringing on 300MW of gas as a priority by 2027.”