Opposition leader Peter Dutton has spoken out about the effect his decision to pursue a political career has had on his family, revealing that his wife and children have received death threats.
The Liberal leader spoke to 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Thursday when the Sydney radio host asked him about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and whether, as a former Home Secretary guilty of deporting thousands of criminals, he had “ever been close. ” to be the target of this form?”
Dutton said ASIO and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) were guilty of passing all the tests, but that he still had “full-time security”, describing it as “the truth of the global we”.
The husband and father of three later told Fordham that his family was also the target of threats.
“You receive death threats against your children (and) your spouse. But I have great confidence that the AFPs will provide this protection,” he said.
“After all, you are in public life. This is worth paying for. But we live in the largest country in the world and we will have to do everything in our power to make sure that is the case. “
When asked if it was scary to think that something could happen to someone you enjoy because they are a political figure, Dutton said there were times when “you have those verbal exchanges from the kitchen table” before starting a moving verbal exchange. about his mother.
“Mom is on the phone saying, ‘Are you talking about those motorcycles again?’ I hope that your security has been reinforced,” declared the liberal leader.
“Is she worried about you?” Fordham.
Dutton replied, “Yes, yes. »
When asked if he listened to his mother, the opposition replied: “Even at 53. Look, I’m doing the best I can, Ben. “
“She would say I don’t listen to her, but she’s been a big influence in my life and I love her a lot, obviously,” he said.
But Dutton, who has two sons and a daughter, has made it clear that threats and the need for security will prevent him from doing what he believes is smart for the country.
“Look, at the end of the day, you’re in public life. It is worth paying for this. But we live in the greatest country in the world and we will have to do everything we can to make sure that is the case,” she stated.
“That doesn’t deter me from the paintings I do. It is clear in my mind that if you are elected to this position, or as Minister of Defence or Home Secretary, the first duty is to take care of our country and do the right thing for Australians in our country.
“By canceling visas, it doesn’t make you popular with those motorcycle gangs or the CFMEU or anything, but it’s in the interest of our country. “