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Federal Election 2019: Tony Abbott joins Scott Morrison for Good Friday mass

Matt CoughlanAAP
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Tony Abbott has joined Prime Minister Scott Morrison for the first time during the election campaign as leaders of the major parties call a truce for Good Friday.

Mr Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have agreed not to engage in campaign argy-bargy and advertising.

But the same can’t be said for some of their most senior lieutenants.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham and high-profile Labor MP Anthony Albanese locked horns on breakfast television, putting an end to a potential truce with the sun barely up on the east coast.

Mr Morrison and Mr Abbott are attending a Good Friday Church Service at St Charbel’s Catholic Maronite Church in Punchbowl.

It’s in Labor frontbencher Tony Burke’s Sydney seat of Watson.

Mr Burke is at the service, along with Immigration Minister David Coleman and Lebanese ambassador to Australia Milad Raad.

Mr Morrison and his wife Jenny met with children outside the church before taking their places for the service.

On Thursday night, Mr Morrison returned to Sydney to see his NRL team Cronulla score a stunning come-from-behind NRL victory over Penrith.

A jubilant Mr Morrison crashed the Triple M broadcast post-match, chipping Panthers legend Mark Geyer about the result.

Geyer’s fellow commentator Wendell Sailor gave Mr Morrison a dig, saying he hoped he didn’t lose the election like Penrith coughed up their advantage.

“We’re coming from behind like our boys tonight,” the prime minister shot back.

Earlier, the Sharks’ number one ticket holder busted a move in the stands, celebrating with some unorthodox dancing.

“I don’t think Bill (Shorten) can move like that,” Mr Morrison told the Nine Network.

The prime minister had a solid first week on the trail but Labor remains heavy favourites to win the May 18 election.

The Morrison campaign targeted marginal seats in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania after he called the poll last Thursday.

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