Who Are Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton?

They’re two of the most powerful figures in Australian politics, and they’re going head-to-head in the next federal election. One’s already in the top job, and the other’s doing everything he can to take it. But who are these guys, really?

Meet Anthony Albanese

• Age: 62

• Electorate: Grayndler (Sydney)

• Party: Labor

• Fun fact: First PM to get engaged while in office

Albo's got one of those classic underdog stories. Raised by a single mum in Sydney’s inner west, he was the first in his family to finish high school, then went on to uni and joined the Labor Party through student politics. By 1996, he was elected to parliament, and he’s held his seat ever since.

He’s known as the most senior member of Labor’s left faction—big on social justice, climate action, and supporting working-class Aussies. He’s long backed LGBT+ rights, stronger welfare, and is a big believer in the union movement (even though he recently clashed with parts of the CFMEU over corruption allegations).

His foreign policy views have caused debate, especially around his support for Palestine. He’s been vocal for years, even saying in 2002 that Israel’s right to self-defence isn’t a "blank cheque." Still, critics from all sides think he hasn’t done enough in the face of recent Gaza and Lebanon conflicts. His stance? Australia backs a two-state solution, full stop.

Since becoming PM in 2022, Albanese has focused on cost-of-living help, expanding childcare, and revamping the NDIS. His 2025 election promises include:

• Easier access to bulk billing

• A 20% cut in HECS debts

• Cheaper contraception and menopause treatments

• More affordable meds on the PBS

Not bad for a kid from council housing.

Meet Peter Dutton

• Age: 54

• Electorate: Dickson (Brisbane)

• Party: Liberal

• Background: Ex-cop and small business owner

• Family: Married with three kids

Dutton’s path into politics was very different. He joined the Liberal Party at 18, ran for state office (and lost), then became a Queensland cop. He worked with the sex offenders squad and the national crime authority for nearly a decade—something he says still shapes how he views the world.

After a few years running a construction business, he entered federal parliament in 2001. He’s held a string of high-profile portfolios, including Health, Immigration, and Home Affairs, and is mostly known for his tough-on-borders stance.

That’s where most of the controversy around him comes from.

Critics have called out Dutton over things like:

• Saying the Fraser gov made a “mistake” by accepting Lebanese refugees

• Suggesting people in Melbourne were scared to go out because of “African gangs”

• Claiming some refugees were "trying it on" by alleging rape to get abortions in Australia

He’s strongly denied any accusations of racism, saying he’s just enforcing the law and protecting national interests.

After trying (and failing) to take the leadership from Malcolm Turnbull in 2018, Dutton eventually rose to Liberal leader when Scott Morrison lost the 2022 election.

On the policy front, Dutton’s pushing for:

• Nuclear power to replace coal

• Cuts to government spending and the public service

• Boosting suburban home construction

• Matching Labor on bulk billing and cheaper medicines

So while the parties are often accused of sounding similar these days, the two men leading them couldn’t be more different—in background, beliefs, and style.

Stay tuned—later this week we’ll dive into two more big political players: David Littleproud (Nationals) and Adam Bandt (Greens).