Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley exchanged criticisms shortly after attending a church service, shifting quickly from unity to political attack.
Speaking to reporters as he departed the service, Albanese described it as “beautiful”, singling out the junior choir as “absolutely delightful”.
The prime minister said interactions with children and young people represented “hope for Australia”, referencing experiences in childcare centres and primary schools.
However, Albanese then turned his focus to the opposition, accusing the Liberal and National parties of continuing to “focus on each other” rather than presenting a united alternative.
Ley responded later in the morning by directing her criticism at the government’s economic record, blaming Labor and Treasurer Jim Chalmers for ongoing inflation and cost of living pressures.
She said the government had failed to protect Australians over summer and had misled voters by suggesting previous interest rate rises were firmly in the past.
Ley argued that households were now under increasing financial strain, describing rising prices and interest rates as “Labor’s cost of living crisis”.
