Anthony Albanese attends same Good Friday service at Punchbowl as Jenny Morrison and Tony Abbott

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese gatecrashed the same Easter Service attended by the prime minister’s wife, Jenny, and ex-prime minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Albanese did a reading during the service at St Charbel Maronite Church in Punchbowl, south-west of Sydney, on Good Friday. 

He then sat in the front row of the congregation and across the aisle from Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny and their daughters Abbey and Lily.  

Former Liberal leader Tony Abbott was seated not far from the two groups.

Mr Albanese was all smiles as he mingled with Mr Abbott and shook his political opponent’s hand before approaching Mrs Morrison to say hello. 

Mr Albanese did a reading during the service at St Charbel Maronite Church in Punchbowl, south-west Sydney, on Good Friday

Mr Albanese mingled happily with Mr Abbott and shook his political opponent’s hand before approaching Mrs Morrison to say hello

Prime minister Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny and their daughters Abbey and Lily were seated in the front row and not far from former Liberal leader Tony Abbott

The Labor leader sat at the front of the congregation for the remainder of the service and was flanked by frontbench colleagues Tony Burke and Jason Clare.

NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and Liberal MP for Reid Fiona Martin were also among the parishioners. 

Mrs Morrison also did a reading while her husband was attending a different Easter service with a local Liberal MP in Melbourne.  

Mr Albanese took to social media in the lead-up to the service to share his well-wishes during the religious holiday.

‘On behalf of the Australian Labor Party I wish the many Christians across Australia a happy and a holy Easter,’ he said.

‘As we mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we can take comfort in the feeling of hope inspired by the words of the Gospel. He is risen!’

Mr Albanese turned his attention to the victims of the recent Queensland and NSW floods. 

‘This Easter we will keep in our prayers the Australians who have been so devastated by the recent floods,’ he said.

‘I send my very best wishes to the many people celebrating this weekend and hope that you can finally gather safely with your family and in your churches.

Mrs Morrison also did a reading during the Easter service at St Charbel Maronite Church on Good Friday

Former prime minister Tony Abbott sat among the congregation during the Easter service

The Labor leader sat at the front of the congregation for the remainder of the service and was flanked by frontbench colleagues Tony Burke and Jason Clare

NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and Liberal MP for Reid Fiona Martin (pictured) were also among the parishioners

‘A Happy Easter to you and your family.’

Mr Morrison was nowhere to be seen as the prime minister decided to observe the religious holiday at Syndal Baptist Church in Glen Waverley, Melbourne.

Mr Morrison attended the service with Gladys Liu – the Liberal MP for Chisholm.

Ms Liu currently holds the district by a 0.5 per cent margin. 

She has managed to maintain the narrow lead despite previous allegations of her connection to several Communist Party linked community organisations. 

The pair mingled with the 150 parishioners following the Good Friday service.

Mr Morrison stopped to chat with a mother and her newborn baby Muxi.

‘God bless you,’ he said to the baby. 

Mr Morrison was nowhere to be seen as the prime minister decided to observe the religious holiday at Syndal Baptist Church in Glen Waverley, Melbourne

Mr Morrison stopped to chat with a mother and her newborn Muxi before he said to the baby, ‘God bless you’