Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have launched their Christmas messages to Australians.
The prime minister has thanked medical and emergency employees and defence drive members who’ve given up their Christmas to assist others.
In his message, Albanese stated they do a lot to make this season of celebration and reflection attainable.
“I want to say thank you to our medical workers and emergency personnel, our charity and hospitality workers and those serving in the Australian defence force here and overseas – everyone who has given up their Christmas to help others in our community,” he stated on Tuesday.
“I do want to wish everyone the very best and a peaceful and joyful Christmas.”
Albanese plans to spend Christmas Day in Darwin, the place commemorations are being held to mark 50 years since Cyclone Tracy devastated Australia’s most northern capital.
The opposition chief celebrated Australian stoicism within the face of monetary pressures in his Christmas message on Tuesday.
“With everything costing more, many Australians had to make do with less,” Dutton stated.
“The struggle was acute for so many Australians, and it will be a hard Christmas for many.
“I salute our charity workers, our food banks, and those feeding the poor and homeless who, although overstretched, are always outstanding in what they do.”
The Australian spirit shone by means of what was, for a lot of, a tough 2024.
“Contending with financial pressures this year, Australians carried on with stoicism – as is the Australian way,” Dutton stated.
He urged Australians to recollect these dealing with hardship. “This Christmas, we spare a thought for those less fortunate and those doing it tough,” he stated.
“Many of us will know individuals and families who really are struggling and where we can, we should reach out to those who might not be experiencing the spirit of Christmas.”
Whereas many Australians might really feel their burdens insufferable, the story of Christmas demonstrates that hope is ever-present, stated the Rev Charissa Suli, the president of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Non secular leaders have implored Australians to not develop into despondent within the face of adversity.
“I hear stories of grief, fatigue, and isolation from communities across the country,” Suli stated. “Our world is in conflict. It can feel like hope is not enough.
“But the Christmas story speaks to these very struggles. Just like hope was born into poverty on that first Christmas, so is hope born into our broken world.”
Bishop Vincent Lengthy, the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta in Sydney’s west, equally implored Australians to not develop into despondent within the face of adversity however to take coronary heart within the message of Christmas.