As Australians look on horrified at the chaos going on in America, the last thing they want is for the Australian Government to emulate it, writes DrVictoria Fielding.

NEVER INTERRUPT YOUR ENEMYwhen theyre making a mistake. This is no doubt the thoughtof the Labor Government as they watch Dutton dig himself into a Trump-loving hole just in time for the election.

WhenScott Morrisonand wifeJennyspentNew Year's Eve grinning like Cheshire catswith Donald andMelania Trumpat Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in January, the Liberal Party clearly thought it was on a winner waving itsMAGAsupporting flags.

Dutton made sure Australians knew where his allegiances lay when in February hepraisedTrumpas a "big thinker"after Trump madeunhinged and illegal calls for America totake overGaza and turn it into a real estate opportunity. While every world leaderexceptBenjamin Netanyahuwas againstTrumps plan, Dutton took the opportunity to back Trump. And there the self-wedging began.

If Dutton could have sensed the public mood, he would have jumped off the Trump bandwagon when he had thechance. This public mood is not just a little bit concerned about Trump it is aghast.

Independent Australia's catalogue of major reasons Peter Dutton should never be prime minister now numbers85.Michelle Piniupdates the list of cons.

As shown by The Guardian's Essentialpoll:

• 53% of Australians think the Trump Presidency will be negative for the U.S. economy (33% positive);
• 56% think it will be negative for world peace (27% positive);
• 62% think Trump will be negative for the global economy (24% positive); and
• 61% believe he will be negative for the Australian economy (20% positive).

Somewhat alarmingly but also unsurprisingly, the only demographicthat does not seem concerned about Trump is young men no doubt egged on, asEssentialdirectorPeter Lewissuggests, by their right-wing podcasting bros.

With these polling figures in mind, it does not appear to be a coincidence that Peter Duttons approval ratings havefallensteadily this year, as the reality of the grotesque Trump Presidency unfolds. A smarter politician would work hard to differentiate themselves from Trump, but Dutton cant do that because well, you finish that sentence.

Instead, as a politician known to have the subtlety of a foghorn, Dutton has dug in, trying to claim onlyhecan deal with his best mate Trumpand that the Albanese Government cannot. For example, even though Duttonadmittedhe was "disappointed" a soft criticism in Trumpstreatmentof Ukraine PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyin the Oval Office, Dutton pledged to "lobby"Trump to change his views onUkraine.

These sorts of weasel words treat Australians like fools.

Dutton is claiming that he is such good friends with Trump someone Australians see as a dangerous fool that he canreverseTrumps inexplicably close relationship with Russian autocratVladimir Putin. Trumphas upended Americas ties with all its old allies and in turn the old world order. Yeah sure, Peter.

Dutton also pulled the Im buddies with Trump trick when heclaimedhe could get Trump to reverse his 25%tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium exports. Again, Australians are watching on as Trump refuses to back down from tariffs against Canada Americas neighbour and formerly closest ally. Australians can see that Dutton wont have any sway over Trumps tariff plans. Theyd prefer he stood up for Australia rather than cosying up to Trump.

A new report shows that Australia may be able to avoid the chaos evident in Trumps America but we are running out of time.

Alongside backing his mate Trumps chaotic circus, Dutton is also making the mistake of emulating Trumps unpopular policies. While60% of Americansareconcernedthat Musks slashing and burning of government jobs throughDOGEwill hurt their services, Dutton is promisingtocutpublic servicejobs.

Mirroring Trumps attacks on immigrants, Dutton alsoproposedto hold a referendum on deporting Australian dual citizens an idea so stupid even some of his colleagues said so.

Not one to learn lessons quickly, Dutton has more recentlysaidhe sharedcommon ground with Trumpand that his first trip as prime minister would be to visit his buddy in Washington.

Duttons stubbornness to claim mateship with Trump and to emulate his divisive and hateful policiesplays perfectly into the Australian Unionmovements Dont risk Dutton electioncampaign. This campaign is being sowed in fertile, anxious ground.

As Australians look on horrified at the economic, social and security chaos going on in America, the last thing they want is to unleash that chaos on Australia.

DrVictoria Fieldingis an Independent Australia columnist. You can follow her on Threads@drvicfieldingor [email protected].

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