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.

"Yes father?" said the nurse.

"I would really like to see Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten before I

die" whispered the priest.

"I will see what I can do" said the nurse.

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.

There was silence and a look of serenity on the old priest's face.

Finally Shorten spoke "Father of all people you could have chosen, 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."

"Amen" said Turnbull.

"Amen" replied Shorten.

The old priest continued, "Jesus Christ our saviour died between two lying thieving bastards, and I wanted to do the same." lol