Election season in Australia is heating up, and the airwaves are humming with echoes of a familiar style of political rhetoric. Many have taken to calling it the “Trump playbook” or “Trumpesque politics,” as Peter Dutton, the leader of Australia’s main center-right political party, seemingly channels elements of the former U.S. president in his campaign. With accusations of “wokeness” dominating his messaging, coupled with blunt, unapologetic remarks, Dutton’s approach is gaining attention, drawing comparisons — and divisions.
### The Trump Parallel: Sound Familiar?
Peter Dutton, 57, a former policeman best known for his stringent stances on immigration and asylum seekers, is an ambitious politician aiming to unseat Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an election that must take place by May 17. To do so, he’s doubling down on a “plainspoken” approach, much like Donald Trump. Dutton has lambasted what he calls a “woke brigade” — banks, corporations, and even pubs — for their focus on environmental and Indigenous issues. His critique of policies surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) mirrors Trump’s narrative; both frame such efforts as distracting and alienating to everyday citizens rather than improvements to their lives.
Some voters, like retired nurse Louise Pridham and her builder husband, Nigel, say they appreciate Dutton’s straightforward manner. While not admirers of Trump, they acknowledge the similarities in Dutton’s messaging. “He says it as it is,” Louise remarked, adding that his rejection of what some call “wokism” resonates with people tired of political correctness.
As a result, Dutton’s rhetoric is beginning to gain traction. A recent NewsPoll showed Albanese’s approval rating dipping to its lowest since his election in 2022, with 57% of respondents saying they disapprove of his performance. A head-to-head comparison even revealed Dutton closing in on Albanese, signaling that his unabashedly conservative stance is resonating with parts of the electorate.
### Political Divides in the “Culture Wars”
The topic of “wokeness” is a defining one for Dutton. He’s called out government job positions like diversity and inclusion advisors, which he claims do little to address the pressing issues faced by “everyday Australians.” His rejection of such policies seems calculated, weaponizing the word “woke” as a rallying cry for individuals who see themselves as sidelined by modern progressive politics.
For some critics, however, the term “woke” is frustratingly vague — both a catch-all slogan and a smear tactic used to shut down serious debates about inclusivity, culture, and equity. Graeme Turner, an emeritus professor of cultural studies at the University of Queensland, observed that politicians often use “woke” as a buzzword without clear definition. “It’s become a really handy slogan as a way of smearing any idea they don’t like,” Turner noted.
And in Australia, culture wars don’t have to look exactly like their U.S. counterparts to feel familiar. In 2023, a major point of contention in the country was a referendum aimed at creating an advisory body called the “Voice to Parliament,” which would represent Indigenous Australians on legislative issues. The proposal was a key piece of Albanese’s political platform. Its defeat in the referendum marked a significant moment in Australia’s political discourse, emboldening conservatives like Dutton while dealing a blow to proponents of reconciliation with Indigenous communities. For Dutton and his allies, the referendum’s failure was indicative of Australians rejecting excessive attention to the country’s colonial past — a divisive issue, they argue, rather than a unifying one.
A similar cultural battle has played out concerning Australia Day, which commemorates the arrival of British settlers in Sydney on January 26, 1788. Critics of the holiday have increasingly called for it to be moved to another date, citing its association with the violent colonization of Aboriginal peoples. But public opinion appears to be swaying in Dutton’s favor. A recent poll found that support for keeping Australia Day as is rose to 61% from 47% just a year earlier. The controversial holiday offers Dutton another chance to champion tradition while rallying voters who feel nostalgic for an idealized version of Australia’s past.
Dutton’s message has found a home among Australia’s working-class electorate, which mirrors similar groups in America who felt abandoned by economic shifts, such as the decline of manufacturing. As Mark Kenny, director of the Australian Studies Institute, puts it, these voters often feel ignored or left behind politically. When Dutton rails against “woke” policies, however imprecise the term may be, it resonates among these groups.
### Beyond the Rhetoric: Opportunism or Strategy?
Despite the overt parallels, Dutton isn’t a Trump copy-and-paste. Unlike his American counterpart, he’s drawn certain lines in the sand. For example, he has resisted pressure to campaign on contentious transgender issues, despite calls from a coalition partner to make them a focal point. He’s also maintained support for Australia’s involvement in the Paris Agreement on climate change — a far cry from Trump’s withdrawal from the accord during his presidency.
These distinctions suggest that Dutton’s appropriation of Trumpian talking points might be more strategic than ideological. Graeme Turner views Dutton’s embrace of anti-woke language as opportunistic rather than deeply held, positioning him to galvanize a specific voter base without alienating moderates. Perhaps this calculated approach is Dutton’s attempt to tap into a cultural grievance without drifting into the more extreme fringes of right-wing populism.
### Can Dutton Mobilize Broad Support?
For all his rhetorical fire, Dutton faces challenges in converting these sentiments into an actual electoral majority. Unlike the United States, Australia has compulsory voting, which ensures turnout rates above 90%. Single-issue voters alone cannot win an election in this context. Dutton will need more than opposition to wokeness to succeed — a reality underscored by some of the inconsistencies in his approach. While keen to appear firm on conservative values, his avoidance of certain topics and his reluctance to emulate Trump’s climate skepticism point to an awareness of Australia’s comparatively progressive tendencies.
Critically, Australians as a whole are not identical to Trump’s American base. A 2019 survey found that Australia’s conservative voters are more ideologically aligned with Hillary Clinton supporters in the U.S. than with Trump’s. This distinction underscores the limits of wholesale adoption of Trump-style politics in Australia.
### A Divided Electorate
For many Australians, Dutton’s cultural crusade can feel detached from the reality of their lives. John Gallop, a Sydney local, captured the sentiment succinctly while visiting a historic site tied to Australia Day. For him, the debate over the holiday’s date seems inconsequential compared to broader systemic challenges. “There’s so much more we need to change in Australia,” he remarked.
Indeed, as much as Dutton’s appeal lies in his ability to tap into cultural frustration, his critics argue there’s a vacuum where policy solutions should be. High inflation, skyrocketing housing prices, and persistent economic challenges still weigh heavily on Australian voters. For all his focus on combating cultural shifts, Dutton’s ability to address these bread-and-butter issues could determine his fate.
### What’s Next?
As Australia edges closer to election day, the contest between Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese reflects broader global trends of polarization and reactionary politics. Dutton’s campaign draws from proven conservative playbooks — borrowing rhetoric and tactics that have energized voters elsewhere. But Australia is not America, and while parallels abound, Dutton’s success will ultimately depend on his ability to adapt these strategies to the unique political landscape of his country. Whether this approach will win him the premiership or simply stoke further division remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the debate over “wokeness,” Indigenous rights, and cultural identity will leave a lasting imprint on Australia’s political discourse.
