Anthony Albanese explodes as Neil Mitchell sighs in fiery interview as 3AW asks if he will apologize as his government labels Peter Dutton a ‘protector of pedophiles’

An irritable Anthony Albanese has repeatedly refused to apologize on behalf of two of his top ministers, who have repeatedly accused opposition leader Peter Dutton of ‘protecting paedophiles’.

In a sometimes fiery radio interview on 3AW presenter Neil Mitchell’s last day as a broadcaster, the Prime Minister was reminded that he had promised a more respectful political discourse before the election but had failed to prevail over his ministers’ “outrageous” suggestion about the opposition leader.

Embattled Home Secretary Clare O’Neil tried in Parliament on Wednesday to blame Dutton, her Liberal predecessor in the role, for the government’s asylum seeker debacle, claiming the “mess” was created under him.

Ms O’Neil claimed Mr Dutton had voted to protect pedophiles from children, along with Sports Minister Anika Wells, and repeated the claim on morning television the next day.

Mr Dutton, a former Queensland Police detective, said this showed the government was becoming desperate.

“I’ve arrested sex offenders before. It is one of my life’s passions to ensure that women and children are safe. “I feel very sincerely and deeply about it,” he said.

‘Yes, the comments hurt, but they mean nothing to me because I know who I am. I think I owe an apology from Anika Wells and the Prime Minister.”

Other senior ministers such as Richard Marles and Bill Shorten refused to endorse the characterization.

When questioned by Mitchell on Friday, Mr Albanese refused to apologize to Mr Dutton, leading to a heated clash.

“Neil, this opposition leader has a track record – and look at the stories on the front page accusing us of all kinds of things, including – it’s Peter Dutton,” Mr Albanese said.

“But you said you’re better than that,” Mitchell interjected.

“That’s right,” Mr. Albanese said.

“Is there an apology in there?” Mitchell asked.

‘Well I. Wait a second. Wait a second. Ask me about the things I have done, and I will be happy to answer for them.”

“But they’re your ministers,” Mitchell said.

‘Oh Neil, Neil, he tabled a motion in Parliament yesterday essentially saying that we need a range of – I won’t repeat this in the program – a range of, including child abusers, rapists, everyone, that we’re going to get them out wanted to have on the streets. He did that yesterday in parliament,” Albanese said.

‘So in response you say he protects pedophiles? Awesome. Thanks for that. That’s a great debate standard. You have really improved the quality of politics. That’s outrageous. Okay, he insulted you. Take the high moral ground. To apologize.’

“Neil.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

‘I am responsible for what I say.’

‘They are your ministers. You’re the boss.’

‘I am responsible for what I say. And he has consistently accused these ministers. And what the minister said was that his opposition to the legislation that was before Parliament on Monday is completely inconsistent with what he has said. From day one, we have had the Supreme Court of Australia making a decision here on this issue.

“And what the opposition led by Peter Dutton has done, it has been consistently suggested that somehow we wanted these people, these people to come out on the streets. None of that is true Neil and you know it’s not true.’

‘I agree that’s not true, and I don’t believe Peter Dutton is protecting pedophiles. Do you apologize to him or not? Or do you support your ministers?’

“Neil. I am responsible for what I say,” Albanese said.

“Oh Prime Minister. You’re the boss. You’re the boss.’

“It’s time for Peter Dutton to take responsibility for what he said.”

‘So I repeat the question. Do you stand by what your ministers have said?’

“Neil. I stand behind everything, everything I say. And I stand by the fact that my ministers have done everything they can to protect the safety of the community. And Peter Dutton has been focused on just politics from day one,” Albanese said.

“You can fix it all here by making that point and apologizing.”

‘No I can not. I hate to break it to you, Neil, but I can’t solve it all here. The fact is that Peter Dutton has consciously chosen, as he used to do as a minister, to stand up and consistently accuse us of not being concerned about the safety of the community.”

Mr Albanese has dismissed claims that he would have to “spend more time in the country” if he wanted to avoid leading a one-term government.

The Prime Minister again defended his recent overseas trips, stating that none of these trips were for holidays and that he was ‘representing Australia’ at all times.

In the past two months, Mr Albanese has visited the US, China and the Cook Islands twice.

The coalition supported in principle much of Mr Albanese’s recent trips, but last month called on him not to go to APEC amid growing concerns about community safety.

He said he spent “every day I could in the country.”

“I haven’t been on holiday abroad,” he said.

Mitchell then told him that he was needed at home too.

“Part of the job is representing Australia. You know why? Because one in four of our jobs depends on our profession,” he said.

‘Now we need to restore some of the trade relationships that we have, whether with the US deals we’ve done on crucial minerals in clean energy, and removing some of the barriers to trade with China, which makes a difference for our barley farmers and our wine growers and all these industries benefit Australia.”

Mr Albanese said he was not paying much attention to recent polls showing support for Labor had fallen to its lowest level since last year’s election.

He told Mitchell he didn’t agree with the public “turning” on him.

“Opinion polls come and go… What I’m focusing on is the medium term, day by day,” he said.

“Because if you do that (spend too much time on the elections), ultimately you’re not going to deliver the kind of government we need.”