Australia’s political leaders paused politicking and trading barbs yesterday as a papal-sized shadow was cast over the election campaign. Source: Canberra Times.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton cancelled campaign events and attended church services to pay tribute to the late Pope Francis as early voting opened across the country.
Mr Albanese had planned to campaign in Melbourne while Mr Dutton was scheduled to hit the hustings in Orange.
“His kindness, humility and devotion was admired by people of all faiths and people of none, that’s why his loss is being mourned,” the Prime Minister said yesterday morning after attending Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.
Mr Dutton said: “I don’t think it’s a day for overt politicking at all, I think the day is best spent reflecting”.
But some politicians still hit the hustings to capture pre-poll voters, with Nationals leader David Littleproud announcing a veterans’ hub in the seat of Calare while Greens leader Adam Bandt hit booths in the marginal Melbourne seats of Wills and Macnamara.
With early voting opening yesterday, several pre-poll voters told AAP they would be travelling on election day, leading them to cast early ballots.
They almost unanimously nominated the cost of living as their top election issue, while nuclear power and US president Donald Trump also rated a mention.
Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton were back campaigning last night, going head-to-head in a third leaders’ debate in Sydney.
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Election campaign at half-mast as leaders remember Pope (By Dominic Giannini, AAP via Canberra Times)
