“We made a mistake” are tough words for any politician, but in the heat of an election campaign, they can really hurt.

In a spectacular reversal, Peter Dutton has walked back his policy to sack 41,000 

public servants, saying he’ll now wait for people to quit and will no longer force those who remain back into the office.

Dutton’s backtracking doesn’t just raise questions about sincerity – it also leaves the opposition with a giant black hole when it comes to funding their other election promises.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on the panic inside the coalition – and what it means for Peter Dutton’s leadership.

 

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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