Jim Chalmers prepares for ‘sticky wicket’ in election fight as he takes aim at Peter Dutton in Curtin Oration

Jim Chalmers acknowledges the Government faces a “sticky wicket” going into the next election but insists it will stand its ground and not be distracted by attempts to divide Australians.

The Treasurer also attacked Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s divisiveness, saying it appeared almost pathological and should disqualify him from leading the country.

Both sides of politics are aiming to define the national debate as the election nears and voters continue to struggle with high housing costs and sticky inflation.

The Country Liberal Party’s landslide win in the weekend’s NT election has focused Federal politicians on the task ahead of them as polls continue to trend downwards for Labor.

Dr Chalmers used his Curtin Oration address in Melbourne on Monday night to warn the nation’s social cohesion and economic future were at stake as voters weighed up their options.

“We don’t take any outcome for granted. Never have, never will,” he said, before harking back to wartime leader John Curtin’s near loss in his own seat of Fremantle in 1940.

“We are batting on a sticky wicket too, all these years later.

“But like Curtin and like Chifley, we are focused on the main game. We are governing from the middle and the mainstream; we are leading with compassion, foresight and vision, looking to heal divisions not make them worse.”

He contrasted this approach with Mr Dutton, who he said wanted to embrace the political divisiveness growing across the globe when “most sane people” sought to reject it.

“He divides deliberately, almost pathologically. This is worse than disappointing, it is dangerous. His divisiveness should be disqualifying,” Dr Chalmers said.

“He picks fights and stokes division on national security because he’s got no idea about economics.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Dutton said Labor should heed the lessons from the NT where the Country Liberal Party won at least 16 of the 25 seats.

“I think the Prime Minister, if he believes that there are no lessons for him out of (Saturday’s) Northern Territory election, it just shows that he’s not listening to millions of Australians who are worried about feeling less safe in their homes and their communities under Labor, and are also really worried about how they’re going to continue to pay the bills and to pay their mortgages and to put food on the table for their families,” Mr Dutton said.

“Australians know after two years they’re worse off under this Government, and they know that they can’t afford another three years of the Albanese Government.”

Anthony Albanese said his party would look at any implications of the NT election and work constructively with the Territory’s new government.

Dr Chalmers drew on the legacy of Labor duos John Curtin and Ben Chifley, and Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, pointing to their efforts to remake the economy as global forces shifted.

Those global forces were once again shifting to a more fragmented world, politically and economically, and Dr Chalmers warned Australia must move in response into “a new, fourth economy”.

“Australia is fortunate with our history and heritage, the politics we’ve chosen relatively free of political violence, and the more mobile society we’ve built together. But we can’t take this for granted,” he said.

“The next election will be about the progress we’ve made and the future we are planning for.

“It won’t be a spendathon but it will be a choice: between our responsible economic management and the deliberate divisiveness of our opponents.”