Peter Dutton knows he's seen as a "dark" figure in Australian politics. Unlike Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has spoken extensively about his social housing upbringing and being raised by a single mum, Dutton is a name we know with a story less understood.

He's been labelled divisive, compared to Donald Trump for his hardline stance on immigration and national security. Critics have also pointed out the Liberal Party's lack of female representation, with women making up around 30 per cent of its parliamentary members, compared to 52 per cent in Labor.

Mamamia's audience are key decision-makers in their households — eight in 10 say they call the shots. It's an audience you don't want to alienate.

Dutton says he understands this as well as anyone.

So, what's his pitch to Australian women? We sat down with him to find out.

Listen to Mamamia's interview with Peter Dutton on No Filter. Post continues below.

The public perception problem.

Dutton is aware of his private nature and acknowledges that it likely doesn't help shift the public perception of him.

"I think you get painted in a particular way, and sometimes you can be your own worst enemy. I've had roles which are pretty tough and that shapes how people perceive you," he told Mamamia, referring to his stints as minister for home affairs, defence and immigration.

"A six-second grab on the TV of a time when you're trying to deliver a blow to your political opponent, that's different from doing a long-form interview or doing a breakfast TV segment, and you're able to joke and show the true side."

While he's previously shied away from discussing his personal life, Dutton now recognises the need to open up.

"I haven't sort of opened up enough over the years about my background, who I am, what has influenced me and more of that story has come out over the last couple of years," he said, noting that his net favourability ratings have improved by 20 percentage points in the last 12–18 months — what he calls "quite a remarkable turnaround".

And he's determined to continue changing minds.

Watch: Peter Dutton shares election promises. Post continues below.

Dutton's pitch to women.

As the eldest of five children in a working-class family — his father a bricklayer, his mother in childcare — Dutton learnt early about contributing to the household.

At 19, his decision to join the police force changed his trajectory and continues to shape his politics today.

"On my first shift and seeing some of the horrific things that you see — delivering death messages, the domestic violence, the motor vehicle accidents — I think you grow up overnight," he said.

"I think you still carry that experience, those images with you, and it's part of the reason that I really concentrated particularly in the immigration and home affairs portfolios, on protecting women and children and that was important to me when I first came into parliament."

He wants all Australian women to feel safe at home.

"I just thought for a woman in particular, not feeling safe in that home environment that had been the refuge for me and my safe space growing up... if you don't feel safe there, where could you feel safe?" he asked.

"That's been a lifetime passion of mine, and it's one of the areas if I am fortunate enough to become prime minister that I really want to concentrate on. I just don't think we do well enough in our country."

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Yet the Liberal Party is not generally the party people think of that is compassionate in addressing systemic issues intertwined with domestic violence, like drug abuse or poverty. Acknowledging domestic violence is one thing, but action speaks louder.

Dutton conceded that was a fair conclusion, but stated both parties were committed to addressing violence against women. 

"I made a particular focus on cancelling visas when I had the responsibility of people who had perpetrated domestic violence, paedophiles, people who had sexually assaulted women and children, drug dealers and others," Dutton said.

"There's a sense of satisfaction in doing that, even though it's a tough decision to make to deport someone from the country… but you also do it with the knowledge that they're not going on to offend against the next girl and against the next woman…

"So when you look at that, I think it's hard then to reconcile that we're not compassionate or that we don't have a focus as members of the Liberal Party on protecting women or putting in place better arrangements."

Dutton with his wife Kirilly. Image: AAP.

Economic independence and work policies.

Dutton told us he's committed to being a prime minister who creates an environment where women can achieve financial independence, afford housing through economic empowerment and improve online safety for women and girls.

Two in five of Mamamia's audience feel overwhelmed or apprehensive when it comes to their finances. Meanwhile, six in 10 worry about the household budget more than others.

"I strongly believe in making sure that people have dignity in their lives, women in particular," Dutton said.

"I want to be a prime minister that creates an environment where you can make sales and that financial independence and success give you options and opportunities.

"I want to be a prime minister that can provide an environment where you can afford to put a roof over your head and to recover from a marriage breakdown or a violent relationship."

Dutton said the women he spoke to shared the same concerns nationwide: "I want a roof over my head. I want a safe environment. I want to be able to educate my kids. I want to be able to pay the bills. I want a good health system. And I want an environment where my kids, when they graduate from school or from a trade or from university, can find a job."

Dutton says he wants to focus on Australia's economic empowerment. Image: AAP.

But there's a disconnect between Dutton's stated commitment to economic empowerment for women and a key Coalition policy announced at the start of March. The Opposition wants public servants to return to the office five days a week, ending flexible work arrangements that many women depend on.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher criticised the policy, saying return-to-office orders would limit work opportunities for women.

"They have now said work from home is going to be cancelled… they don't have women's interests at heart, they don't see it as a central economic driver of growth," Senator Gallagher said. "Clearly, the Opposition have no idea about how modern working families operate. Women have a right to feel at risk."

Dutton, however, rejected these criticisms.

"People refusing to go back to work in Canberra is not acceptable. We need an efficient delivery of government services," he told reporters. "We're going to have an efficient public service, and we're going to make sure that we can support families who are struggling."

The Opposition Leader added that for women who could not be in the office five days a week, there were "plenty of job-sharing arrangements."

Katy Gallagher has lashed Peter Dutton for once again putting “his own self-political interest” ahead of the interests of working women after he turned his back to support gender pay gap targets at the last minute claiming they would be too “burdensome on companies”🙄💥#auspol pic.twitter.com/g1dlibzv85

— stranger (@strangerous10) March 4, 2025

Acknowledging criticisms.

It's easy for a well-paid politician to acknowledge Australians are doing it tough, without recognising that policies they have implemented may be contributing to those struggles. Dutton agreed.

"People can judge, Anthony Albanese can judge me, but I can only talk from my perspective," he told Mamamia.

"I believe that I'm the same person I was when I came into politics… I've never forgotten growing up in a bigger family or in an environment where there were arguments about money and there wasn't enough money to pay the bills.

"I've never forgotten those roots and I never will, and I think that's demonstrated in a number of the decisions that I've made and different portfolios and I would want to bring that to the office of prime minister as well."

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The political reality.

Recent polling shows his net approval rating at minus three (41 per cent approval, 44 per cent disapproval), marginally better than Albanese's minus eight. Despite this, Australians still believe Labor would be better, or at least no worse, than the Coalition to deliver cost-of-living relief, higher wages and safeguard Medicare.

Meanwhile, almost half of the 1,150 people surveyed in last week's Essential poll are undecided or may change their vote, making Dutton's pitch to women voters all the more crucial.

His message to those on the fence is simple: "I want to be a prime minister who can govern for our country and for all Australians."

And he's willing to be held accountable, promising that, if successful, he'll meet with Mamamia's No Filter podcast again in 12 months to discuss his progress in improving the lives of women and girls.

What's going to decide your vote in the 2025 federal election? We want to find out what actually matters to you when it comes to deciding what to do with your vote, not what everyone else tells you matters. Be as honest as you like, we can handle it.

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Feature image: AAP.