news, federal-politics,

Standing alongside his family in the third row of Horizon Church's 1090-seat convention centre, Prime Minister Scott Morrison clapped, sang, and raised his hands. On stage, a cover band was performing Christian pop hit Glorious Day. In the crowd, most were standing and singing along, in a scene that looked more like the Taylor Swift concert the prime minister attended last month than the church Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was praying at thousands of kilometres north in Brisbane. An agreement by both parties to halt campaigning for Easter Sunday allowed the prime minister time for one last pre-election mass at the Sutherland Shire church. "This has been a bedrock of our family every since we moved here," he said afterwards. "They've been a tremendous support to us... and are an important part of our lives." Asked what Easter meant to him, the Pentecostal prime minister - who will be praying for an electoral miracle come May 18 - said: "Its a message of humility; it's a message of love for each other, of selflessness; it's a message of putting others before yourself and that's what this community does and that's why it's as strong as it is." "I just hope everyone over Easter has a beautiful family time and remembers, as we say in my church, 'the reason for the season'". In a video released Sunday morning, Mr Shorten and wife Chloe also drew on family values. "For many Easter is a time that carries deep meaning. It is a time for worship, for reflection, and a special opportunity for families to come together." "We also think of people who are doing it tough," Ms Shorten added. "And give thanks for all the organisations and charities who lend a helping hand, not just at Easter but every day of the year." The Labor leader also thanked those who were working over the long weekend, in a subtle nod towards Labor's campaign focus for the coming week: wages. While in Queensland, the party will move on from its early focus of health - the first week of the campaign had Labor reveal a new detail on its health plan every day - to litigating attack lines on penalty rate cuts. On Saturday outside Melbourne's Luna Park, Mr Shorten said he would "stop the rot", pledging to reverse last year's penalty rate cuts within the first 100 days of office if elected. A poll on top voter issues released by Ipsos on Sunday found cost of living was the second highest consideration in voters' minds ahead of the election. Concern about the environment had sharply increased since the 2016 federal election, but it still lagged behind healthcare, cost of living and crime. The economy was the fifth largest concern for voters, followed by immigration. Campaigning will resume on Monday.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc750f4o7f5ehgc6y71ku.jpg/r2_0_4937_2788_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg