‘Time of joy’: PM offers Easter message of goodwill

Putting aside the hacks and moves of politics, Anthony Albanese delivered a short message of goodwill to Australians.

Acknowledging the spiritual significance of the holiday for many, the prime minister said Christians across the country were undoubtedly reflecting on the resurrection of Jesus and celebrating their faith.

“This is a time of reflection and a time of joy,” he said.

“I hope you’ll meet up with family and friends and maybe help the kids enjoy a backyard Easter egg hunt.

If you are off this weekend please drive safe and if you are working thank you for all you do.

“I wish you all a wonderful Easter.”

On a more somber note, the Anglican archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, used the occasion to issue a timely warning against relying on artificial intelligence for spiritual direction.

Rather than turning to an online Bible for answers, he said Australians should look to the “real intelligence” of Easter’s message.

“At Easter, we celebrate something much bigger: God speaking to us personally.”

The archbishop said life’s deepest questions require a divine answer.

“Only God can answer some questions.”

Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher says Easter is a story of love, not a story of the powerful helping themselves or of violence, terror or war.

“You are not alone. Christ is with you,” he said.

“Rise with Him this Easter!”

Meanwhile, around 45 per cent of Australians are expected to eat a kilogram or more of chocolate and seasonal treats over the four-day weekend.

10 of more than a thousand people surveyed by food tracking app MyFitnessPal said they expected to consume up to four times that amount.

Despite increased tolerance, more than three-quarters of recipients said they had no plans to follow the diet post-Easter.

Lifesaving and road safety officials also urged everyone to be prepared and careful in the water or while traveling.