An old priest lay dying in Woden's, Canberra Hospital. He had served the people near the nation's capital, at Manuka for many years.

He motioned for the nurse to come near.

"I would really like to see Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten before I die" whispered the priest.

The nurse sent the request to parliament house and waited for a response. 

Soon an answer came back; Both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten would be delighted to visit the priest.

As they were driven to the hospital in Malcolm's new BMW, Turnbull commented to Shorten, "I don't know why this old priest wants to see us, but it certainly will help our images and may even help our re-election prospects."

Shorten agreed it was probably a good thing.

When they arrived at the priest's room the priest took Turnbull's hand in his right hand and Shorten's hand in his left hand.

Finally Shorten spoke "Father  you could have chosen anyone, why did you chose us to be with you at this time when your end is so near?"

The old priest slowly replied "I have always tried to pattern my life and behaviour after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Turnbull and Shorten nodded.

The old priest continued, "Jesus died between two lying thieves, and I wanted to do the same."