Shorten's Easter 'shout-out' to strugglers

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has paid homage to Aussie battlers during an Easter Sunday visit to a Melbourne nursing home.

At Clifton Hill's Sambell Lodge, run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Mr Shorten took part in an Easter egg hunt with elderly residents, his wife Chloe and their children.

"Easter is a great time to catch up with family and friends but I think it's also important to remember that so many of our fellow Australians are doing it tough," he told reporters.

"A lot of people are very fortunate to have the Brotherhood of St Laurence and many other not-for-profit agencies who make sure our fellow Australians don't get left behind."

Mr Shorten also gave a "shout-out" to Australian defence personnel working overseas as well as people working over the Easter break, who "don't deserve to have their penalty rates cut".