Leaders choose charity over unseasonal rivalry

Bill Shorten put his first lady front and centre of his Christmas message as Scott Morrison asked for more rain.

Scott Morrison asked for more rain for farmers as a ­Christmas ’present’.

Bill Shorten put his first lady front and centre of his Christmas message as Scott Morrison asked for more rain for farmers as a ­“present”.

The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader did not reference each other in their Christmas addresses, but the looming federal election influenced the tones of their messages to the Australian people.

Chloe Shorten featured prominently in Mr Shorten’s video message, celebrating the generosity of Australians as she stood beside her husband in a warehouse used by hunger-relief charity Foodbank.

“Thank you to all those Australians who have given generously so that people have a safe place to stay, a hot meal to eat or maybe just a present under the tree,” Mrs Shorten said.

The video, where Mr and Mrs Shorten thanked Foodbank volunteers, came after Mr Morrison reversed funding cuts to the food charity in November under pressure from Labor.

In his first Christmas message as Prime Minister, Mr Morrison called for more rainfall as a “Christmas present” and paid tribute to those in the worst-hit­ ­areas.

“We want rain for our drought-stricken communities. And this year, Australians have been so generous to our regional communities,” Mr Morrison said.

“We want to send to all of those communities our love and our continued promise that we will stand by you for as long as it takes and then as you rebuild.”

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy spent part of Christmas Day volunteering at Sydney’s Wayside Chapel.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pictured with Diana Casanova and her dog, Manhattan, at Wayside Chapel Christmas lunch and street party in Kings Cross. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Mr Turnbull, who commended Wayside’s work and “unconditional love”, proved popular with guests as he served kebabs and posed for selfies.

Pastor Jon Owen noted the street was packed and “full of what I love about the area”, with people who’d woken up in the gutter that day marking the occasion alongside people who, “if we had a rich list, would be on top of it”.

In her annual Christmas address, the Queen said Jesus Christ’s “message of peace on Earth” should be heeded more than ever.

“I believe his message of peace on Earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone. It’s needed as much as ever,” she said from Windsor Castle.

“Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good step towards greater understanding.”

British commentators have linked the Queen’s message to continuing political divisions over Brexit. But her words will be heeded in Australia as well in light of the election.