‘Doing it tough’: Prime Minister, Opposition Leader pay tribute people working over the holiday period, and those struggling
The Prime Minister acknowledged Christmas as a time for a ‘well-earned break’ while the Opposition Leader pointed to people struggling through the cost-of-living crisis.
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have wished Australians a merry Christmas, and both paid tribute in their Christmas messages to emergency workers and Australian Defence Force personnel who will continue to work over the holiday period.
The Prime Minister acknowledged Christmas as “a chance for a well-earned break” and for people to spend time with family and friends, and to create “beautiful new memories with those that we love”.
“For Christians, of course, this is a holy celebration. For all of us, it is a season of generosity and kindness,” he said.
Mr Albanese went on to acknowledge those working over Christmas including medical workers, emergency personnel, charity workers and members of the ADF.
“You do so much to make this time of celebration and reflection possible,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr Albanese noted that the festive season was not “easy for everyone”. He highlighted residents of Darwin, who this year mark the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, which devastated the Northern Territory capital in 1974. The Prime Minister said he would spend part of the Christmas period in Darwin to commemorate the anniversary.
The Opposition Leader reflected on “a nation forged, fought for, and passed on to us by our forebears”, and said “may we ensure, as they did, that this nation is prosperous, secure, and united”.
Like Mr Albanese, Mr Dutton acknowledged emergency workers and defence force personnel “who will forgo time with their loved ones this Christmas and put duty first”.
In his message, Mr Dutton tied the Christmas season to the cost-of-living crisis, pointing to an “acute” struggle felt by people doing it tough and saying “it will be a hard Christmas for many”.
“Contending with financial pressures this year, Australians carried on with stoicism – as is the Australian way,” he said.
“I saw this commendable spirit first-hand across the country: talking to workers and small-business owners, hard-hit farmers, fishermen, and manufacturers, and in families under financial pressure.
“This Christmas, we spare a thought for those less fortunate and those doing it tough. 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.”
Mr Dutton paid special tribute to charity workers – “our food banks, and those feeding the poor and homeless who, although overstretched, are always outstanding in what they do”.
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