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AUSTRALIANS should work less and do more to strengthen their personal relationships in tough times, the head of Sydney's Anglican church says.

In his message this Christmas, Archbishop Peter Jensen warned that casual and transient relationships, personal independence and frantic work practices had left people ill-equipped to deal with "some of the tough times ahead".

"Without profound commitment to each other, we live less than a human life," he said.

Family members look after each other, he said, but in today's world not everyone has access to the support that comes from family.

"That is why the challenge is to our whole community to turn back to God and then act like a family, living out the faith, hope and love which will help us to be compassionate and generous Australians," Archbishop Jensen said.

Wesley Mission chief executive Keith Garner echoed the sentiments in his own Christmas message, saying social isolation was on the rise everywhere from city streets to rural communities.

•  Read the full article reported by The Daily Telegraph