Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined volunteers to serve a Christmas meal to vulnerable Sydneysiders, and acknowledged those Australians who are doing it tough at what should be a joyful time of year.
Mr Albanese spent Christmas morning the same way he does every year, at the Ashfield Uniting Church in his inner-western Sydney electorate with 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 joyous time," Mr Albanese said at the event.
"But for others who've lost loved ones over the year, it can be a difficult time as well.
"If you know someone who might be doing it tough today, reach out to them and provide them with a bit of support and a Merry Christmas and a bit of joy."
Mr Albanese also acknowledged the people who are recovering from floods and the effects of the pandemic, and he encouraged neighbours to check in on one another.
"We have a lot of inequality in Australia [and] it's something that my government endeavours to fix," he told 2GB.
"We can't fix it overnight but what we can do is to work on solutions."
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns also attended the foundation's Christmas lunch, and acknowledged the distressing number of people who were in need.
"It's really disturbing and it's sort of an example of the stuff Bill [Crews] does not just on Christmas Day but every single 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 from his favourite bands, while Mr Minns got books and a football.
The prime minister also thanked people across Australia who were looking after the community on Christmas Day, including paramedics, police officers, charity volunteers and hospital workers.
ADF personnel send Christmas messages
ADF personnel spending Christmas Day away from home have sent festive messages to family and loved ones back in Australia.
Personnel deployed in the Middle East, the Pacific and onboard defence vessels at sea recorded video messages for those at home.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Kieren Perkins, stationed in the Middle East, was thinking of friends and family on the Sunshine Coast.
"Hope you have a great day today down at the beach, enjoy a nice barbecue," he said, with the Sun peeking over desert sands in the background.
For the Canberra family of Colonel Josh Gillman, who is Director of Future Operations for the Combined Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve, there was the promise of an extra special surprise.
"Zach and Toby, if you wish very hard, you might get your dad home for Christmas," he told his boys in a video recorded before the big day.
AAP/ABC
