Federal Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese, might be in isolation due to COVID-19 but that didn’t stop senior members of his Shadow Ministry from attending Anastasi services across Australia on Saturday night.
At Kogarah’s Greek Orthodox Church in Sydney, Mr Albanese was represented by Linda Burney MP, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services & Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, along with Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper, and Georges River Council Mayor, Nick Katris.
“It was truly wonderful to attend mass on Saturday evening in Kogarah,” Ms Burney said after the service.
“It is one my great joys as an MP to represent such a vibrant and diverse community, and that was in full display over Orthodox Easter.”
Elsewhere, Maria Vamvakinou MP, Andrew Giles MP and Ged Kearney MP attended mass at Northcote Greek Monastery.
“I was honoured to join my Labor Party colleagues across the country on Saturday evening as we joined the Greek community in celebrating the Resurrection,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
“It’s a testament to the long standing relationship between Greek Australians and the Australian Labor Party.”
Steve Georganas MP also attended mass at St George Greek Orthodox Church in Thebarton.
While, Mark Dreyfus MP QC, Shadow Attorney General and Carina Garland Labor candidate for Chisholm, attended mass at St Anargiri in Oakleigh with Steve Dimopolous MP.
“Thank you Father Adamakis for inviting Carina Garland, Labor’s candidate for Chisholm, and I to join your congregation for the celebration of Easter at St Anargiri Greek Orthodox Church in Oakleigh,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“It was a deeply moving and very special night.”
Last, but certainly not least, Terri Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Environment and Water, attended St George Greek Orthodox Church in South Brisbane.
Tony Burke MP, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, and Zhi Soon Labor candidate for Banks, also attended mass at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Belmore.
“During lockdown for Greek Easter I sat on my verandah with a red candle at midnight. It meant the world to me to be back with everyone at Belmore,” Mr Burke said after the service.
“It’s one of the happiest and most welcoming nights of the year.
“I was also heartened to be joined by Zhi Soon, Labor’s candidate for Banks. Having a candidate whose family migrated from Malaysia to attend a Greek Orthodox midnight mass represents beautifully the diversity of our community.”
