ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has confirmed he will not relocate to Canberra if elected prime minister, opting instead to run the country from a harbourside mansion in Sydney.
Speaking with popular FM radio presenters on Monday morning, the said he and his family would take up residence at Kirribilli House, rather than The Lodge in the nation’s capital.
“We would live in Kirribilli, we love Sydney,” the Queenslander said.
“We love the harbour. And I’m far more productive working from home. Blanket on, TV in the background, no commute. It’s actually better for the taxpayer.”
The comments follow his election pledge to sack up to 41 000 public servants for refusing to return to the office full-time.
“They’ve had it too good for too long,” Dutton said.
“If you’re on the public payroll, you should be at your desk. It’s not that hard.”
When asked whether it was contradictory to work remotely while demanding others return to the office, Dutton said the comparison was unfair.
“I’m the prime minister. That’s different. I’ve got a nation to run. I don’t have time to be wasting hours on the Hume Highway flying back and forth to Canberra every week. It’s more efficient if I do it from home. Less travel. Less taxpayer money wasted on hotels. More time with the family. It just works out better for me.”
Kirribilli House, which overlooks Sydney Harbour, is fully taxpayer-funded and has been traditionally used as a secondary residence for prime ministers while in Sydney.
“I don’t think it’s hypocritical.”
More to come.
