Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shares festive message, saying Christmas will not be ‘easy time for everyone’

Christmas will not be “an easy time for everyone”, with Australians doing it tough amid bushfires in WA and floods in Queensland, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed in his festive message.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has also acknowledged that 2023 has been a “year of hardships” with cost-of-living pressures but says Australians are “resilient”.

The two Federal leaders have released their annual Christmas Eve video messages online to wish the nation a safe and merry festive season.

Mr Albanese said while December 25 was a chance to rest for many Australians, others — including emergency service workers, Australian Defence Force personnel, volunteers, and those rostered on to work — were giving up their time with loved ones.

“In this time of celebration and reflection, we express our gratitude to everyone who’s giving up their Christmas for the sake of others,” Mr Albanese said.

“Of course, this isn’t an easy time for everyone. I know many Australians are doing it tough at the moment, in particular those in Far North Queensland, dealing with the aftermath of the floods.

“To them, I say, you are all in our thoughts. May better times be ahead.”

It comes as hundreds of WA firefighters are preparing to spend Christmas saving lives and property after five homes were destroyed by blazes in the past week.

Residents in Cairns are spending the holiday season mopping up after Cyclone Jasper caused flooding to thousands of homes.

The Prime Minister will be in Sydney on Monday and will volunteer at the Rev Bill Crews Exodus Foundation on Christmas Day.

“May all Australians have a happy and joyous Christmas, and a safe one,” he said.

“And please this festive season, drive safely.”

Mr Dutton will be enjoying downtime with family on Monday and wished Australians “a happy, relaxing and safe Christmas in the company of family and friends”.

“Millions of Australians struggled to make ends meet with mounting financial pressures exacting a toll on people’s savings accounts and their spirits as well,” the Liberal leader said.

“But despite the difficulties, Australians pressed on with characteristic resilience. The generosity and the efforts of our wonderful charity workers and volunteers epitomised the very best of our society.”

The Opposition Leader remembered those who lost loved ones this year, including the Taipan helicopter disaster in Queensland’s Whitsundays, victims of the Gold Coast helicopter mid-air collision, the NSW Hunter Valley wedding bus crash, and the two police officers who were killed on duty in rural Queensland.

He said this year also marked the deaths of many well-known Australians, including entertainer Barry Humphries, artist John Olsen and Liberal senator Jim Molan.

Mr Dutton said “abhorrent displays” of anti-Semitism marked a low point in 2023, in the wake of the October 7 attack on Israel by the Islamist militant group Hamas.

“Christmas celebrates a historical fact — the birth of Jesus Christ,” he said.

“But whether we’re Christians or not, at Christmas, we give thanks for the things that we hold dear in life — our family, our friends, our faith and our great fortune to be an Australian.”