Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined volunteers to serve a Christmas meal to vulnerable people in Sydney and recognized those Australians who are doing it tough at what should be a joyous time of year.
Key points:
- Albanese said that while Christmas is a joyous time, it can be difficult for those who have lost loved ones this year.
- He urged people to get in touch with anyone they know who is facing a difficult Christmas
- Albanese also acknowledged the people who were recovering from the floods and the pandemic
Albanese spent the morning as he does every year, at Ashfield Uniting Church, in his inner Sydney electorate, with the Reverend Bill Crews.
Reverend Crews runs the Exodus Foundation which provides free meals to thousands of homeless and disadvantaged Australians every week, including Christmas lunch.
“Christmas can be a time where people celebrate with their family and friends, a joyful time,” Albanese said at the event.
“But for others who have lost loved ones during the year, it can also be a difficult time.
“If you know someone who might be struggling today, please reach out to them and give them some support and a Merry Christmas and some cheer.”
Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon (left) prepare Christmas lunch dishes at the Rev Bill Crews Foundation. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
Albanese also acknowledged people who are recovering from the flooding and the effects of the pandemic, and encouraged residents to check on each other.
“We have a lot of inequality in Australia [and] it’s something my government is trying to fix,” he told 2GB.
“We can’t fix it overnight, but what we can do is work on solutions.”
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns also attended the foundation’s Christmas lunch and acknowledged the distressing number of people in need.
“It’s really disturbing and it’s kind of an example of things Bill [Crews] not just on Christmas Day, but every day of the year,” he said.
Both leaders revealed the presents they had opened on Christmas morning.
Mr Albanese said his son had spoiled him with vinyl records of his favorite bands, while Mr Minns got books and a table football.
The Prime Minister also thanked people across Australia who looked after the community on Christmas Day, including paramedics, police officers, charity volunteers and hospital workers.
ADF staff send Christmas messages to family
ADF personnel spending Christmas Day away from home have sent festive messages to family and loved ones in Australia.
Personnel deployed to the Middle East, the Pacific and aboard defense ships at sea recorded video messages for those at home.
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Warrant Officer 2 Class Kieren Perkins, stationed in the Middle East, was thinking of friends and family on the Sunshine Coast.
“I hope you have a great day at the beach today, enjoy a good barbecue,” he said, the sun peeking over the desert sand in the background.
For the Canberra family of Colonel Josh Gillman, who is the director of future operations for Combined Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, there was the promise of a more special surprise.
“Zach and Toby, if you really want to, you can bring your dad home for Christmas,” she told her children in a video recorded before the big day.
AAP/ABC