Dutton gives Christmas 'gift' of running Lego gauntlet

Christmas is a time for giving, and for Peter Dutton that means sharing one of life's most excruciating pains.

The opposition leader is donating some of his much-loved Lego to those in need for this year's Wishing Tree Appeal.

And Mr Dutton hopes – or perhaps doesn't – they avoid the torturous feeling of stepping on the pieces left out on the floor.

“I want other parents to share the joy that I have over years of having to step across Lego that's been spread from one end of the house to the other,” he joked on Tuesday.

“Even to this very day, in crates and crates that sit in my shed of Lego products, endless hours of joy, with some, you know, complication when you suffer an injury – but otherwise it's a really good gift and many others.”

The opposition leader was alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt at the unveiling of the 36th annual Wishing Tree Appeal.

Mr Albanese praised the long-running drive and the joy it brings with those around Australia, having raised more than $5.6 million.

“The enduring strength and remarkable success of this appeal has always spoken for the generosity of the Australian people,” he said.

“I'm sure that this year Australians will once again dig deep to support families who are doing it tough at Christmas.”

Greens leader Adam Bandt gave a gift containing a familiar face – that of independent MP Zali Steggall.

Chloe Dalton's children's picture book The A – Z of Who I Could Be features 26 elite female athletes who represent “wonderful role models for young girls starting out on their sporting dream”.

'Z' is for Zali, referencing the Warringah MP's past career as a world champion skier.

This year's gifts perhaps lacked the creativity of years past, notably when Mr Albanese poked fun at former Prime Minister Scott Morrison by giving an Eiffel Tower puzzle, a toy submarine and a fire truck.

The presents were thinly veiled references to two of Mr Morrison's most notable controversies, scrapping Australia's submarine contract with France and taking a Hawaiian holiday during the Black Summer bushfires.