Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has backed the decision to go ahead with the leaders debate tonight, despite the passing of Pope Francis.
Earlier today, both major political parties announced they would cancel planned events in favour of paying their respects to the Pontiff and joining with those who mourn his loss.
Mr Burke, a Catholic, said he was glad party politicking ahead of the election had been paused for most of the day but it was appropriate for the debate to go ahead as planned tonight.
“I was really glad when it was decided that you wouldn’t have the same sort of partisan conversations during the day today and while the debate still going ahead, the tone of it is certainly, we can expected to be a bit more subdued,” he said on ABC TV.
When pressed on why the debate wasn’t called off, Mr Burke said he wasn’t part of the conversations that led to the decision.
“I don’t think you need to say there will be no political conversation, I don’t think you need to say that there are no issues at stake in the election.
“The conversation will occur and obviously any of the aggression of that is not happening at all during the day today but tonight it will sort of be a bit of a reset once the debate takes place.”
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are scheduled to face off on Channel Nine at 5.30pm AEST.