Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has acknowledged that some of his decisions may have disappointed the Christian churches.
Mr Rudd made the comment, in what appears to be a reference to his change of heart on gay marriage, during an address to the Australian Christian Lobby.
"Many in the Christian churches may be disappointed with some of the decisions I have taken as prime minister or as a person," Mr Rudd said in the pre-recorded address for a webcast feed to Christian churches and to a studio audience.
"I have also undertaken those decisions in good and prayerful conscience, even though people in equal prayerful conscience may disagree with some of those conclusions."
Mr Rudd became the first Australian prime minister to go into an election in support of marriage equality, promising that within 100 days in power a Labor government would introduce a bill to parliament to legalise same-sex marriage.
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Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who also addressed the Australian Christian Lobby, said his stance on gay marriage had not changed.
"I have reflected on this issue. I have talked to people I know and love, and my personal position has not changed," he said.
"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman."
Mr Abbott said that if elected, his government's focus would be on solutions for a stronger Australia and if the issue of same-sex marriage emerged "it will be a question for the party room".
Former Howard government deputy prime minister John Anderson and former Labor attorney-general Robert McClelland were part of a Christian panel discussing election issues during the webcast.
During the discussion both former politicians agreed that the issue of same-sex marriage should be put to a referendum.
