Mark Latham has leapt to the defence of the Home Affairs Minister after Paul Keating attacked his character.

Former prime minister Paul Keating told ABC Radio Melbourne he’d “never seen any public figure as mean-spirited as Peter Dutton” and encouraged voters to “drive a political stake through his dark political heart”.

Mr Dutton responded on Twitter, claiming Paul Keating’s “mismanagement of the economy” inspired him to join the Liberal Party.

It’s why I’m so passionate about not letting Bill Shorten repeat history & drive a stake through the hearts of small businesses around the country with his higher taxes.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) May 14, 2019

One Nation Leader Mark Latham tells Ben Fordham Mr Keating’s comments are “a massive exaggeration”.

“It’s easy to say those things about Peter Dutton because he has to play the hard man role in keeping Australian borders strong.

“The truth of that is that Peter Dutton is saving lives, as long as the boats aren’t flowing, nobody’s drowning.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview