Australia's leaders have delivered their Christmas messages. The Prime Minister and Opposition leader have both delivered a message of hope to those facing hardship, while paying tribute to Australia's defence and emergency services personnel, and charity workers. The Catholic Church used its message to criticise the current state of the religious freedoms debate.
The Catholic Church has focused on peace, hope and joy, but has also condemned what it sees as threats to religious freedoms in Australia.
The archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, used his message to warn that discrimination against people of faith was on the rise.
"But sadly, this season of goodwill is becoming one of the few occasions when the public expression of religious faith is tolerated. A year ago, there were promises of new measures to ensure religious freedom is protected in this country. A year later, and governments have done nothing about this. Indeed, we've gone backwards and discrimination against people of faith has become more acceptable in some quarters."
The Prime Minister and the opposition leader set aside their differences, acknowledging the contributions made by those working over the Christmas and New Year period.
Scott Morrison paid tribute to those sacrificing spending Christmas with their loved ones in order to keep Australians safe, here and overseas.
"This Christmas, we remember the 3,200 members of our Australian Defence Forces, who are currently away, on deployment. Away from home, from family, in the service of our country, and we thank them, and all of their comrades, for what they do for us every single day, whether overseas or here at home."
Australian service troops deployed to the Middle East have sent Christmas messages home to family and friends in Australia.
For some its their first year away from loved ones during the holiday period.
MEDICAL TEAM: "G'day Australia, we're from the Middle East region Medical team. We'd like to wish all our family and friends back home in Australia a very merry Christmas. We love you and we're looking forward to being home with you in 2019."
ALL: "Merry Christmas"
DEEPAK UPPAL: "Christmas is really special for me because it's my twins birthday - first time being away from them. I miss you all and I wish you all a very happy Christmas to all my dear ones and friends, back home in Australia and India. I will so you soon, thank you."
CARMEN PERALTA-RIVAS: "Feliz Naveded. I wish a merry Christmas to my partner, my parents and my brother. Te quiero et te amo mucho."
Mr Morrison says Christmas is a time of hope, and has given his best wishes to those struggling with drought and or the aftermath of natural disasters.
"What does Australia want as a Christmas present? Well, we want rain. We want rain for our drought-stricken communities. Our prayers are for more rain, and our prayers have been for our drought-stricken communities. And this year, Australia has been so generous, and we want to send to all those communities our love and our continued promise we'll continue to stand with you for as long as it take s and to rebuild. You're in our thoughts, as are our communities that have fires in recent weeks and are now threatened by other storms."
While the Opposition leader Bill Shorten has joined his wife Chloe at a food charity to thank Australians for their generosity.
BILL: "The wonderful team here at Food bank are making sure that families doing it tough don't go hungry this Christmas, and lots of charity organisations around Australia are doing the same."
CHLOE: "Thank you to all Australians who have given generously so that people have a safe place to stay, a hot meal to eat, or maybe just a present under the tree."
BOTH: "Merry Christmas everybody, have a safe and happy new year."
