Sam Mostyn would be ‘appropriate representative’, PM says as both party leaders step back from election campaign trail before third debate

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Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to the “courage and true leadership” of Pope Francis in Melbourne, and suggested the governor general may represent Australia at the funeral of the man he calls “the people’s pope”.

The prime minister was due to campaign in marginal seats in the Victorian capital as pre-polling began on Tuesday, but he cancelled engagements out of respect for the late pontiff, who died overnight at the age of 88.

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