“While there is no indication that the present prime minister will undermine the special privileges that churches enjoy, some wonder what the future will bring,” Hickey told the newspaper. “This may well influence their vote.”

Hickey’s office on Thursday confirmed to The Associated Press he had made the comments.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott, a Catholic and a former seminarian, said Gillard’s spiritual beliefs should be irrelevant.

“Every candidate in this election should be judged on the basis of competence and policies, not personal beliefs or religious convictions,” Abbott told reporters.