Easter a time to help less fortunate: PM

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have both acknowledged Australians recovering from Cyclone Debbie and recent floods in their Easter messages.

In a video posted to his Facebook page, Mr Turnbull said Easter was a time to spend time with family and friends and to help those less fortunate.

He offered the example of the emergency services workers, Australian Defence Force personnel and volunteers who had pitched in to help "resilient and courageous communities" in Queensland and northern NSW who were affected by natural disasters.

Mr Shorten also acknowledged it had been a tough month for residents of Queensland and northern NSW, and paid tribute to the men and women of the ADF who were working over Easter.

He ended his Easter message with a political dig, paying tribute to "the ordinary Australians working on public holidays" who did not deserve a cut to their penalty rates.