Leaders take time out for Long walk

THE two men vying to be Australia’s prime minister have put aside their political differences to walk alongside AFL great Michael Long for indigenous reconciliation.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten took time out from the election campaign yesterday ahead of the Dreamtime at the ’G clash between Essendon and Richmond.

The walk commemorates Long’s historic 2004 trek from Melbourne to Canberra to lobby Prime Minister John Howard for indigenous issues to be put on the agenda.

Mr Shorten got in some dad time and was accompanied by kids Clementine and Rupert.

He gave his daughter a piggy back and bought the children biscuit snacks.

Mr Turnbull was joined by wife Lucy.

He told the crowd at Federation Square the walk was a great statement of love.

Mr Shorten said Australia had “unfinished business” until there was equal treatment of Aboriginal people.

In a speech ahead of the walk, Long said it was time to get history right.

“Constitutional recognition must occur,” he said.