“One would think in a free and reasonable society that these things don't happen.” -- WA Liberal MLA Wayde Smith, after discovering that police had planted a bug in his home in 1991.

Understanding

“He is a great man -- a martyr, not a crook. It's not fair, punishing him simply because society cannot understand how one man could make $500 million in a single year.” -- US university student on his lecturer, former junk bond whiz Michael Milken, who spent 22 months in prison for securities fraud.

Risk for who?

“If there's no risk, there's no future.” -- Michael Milken on himself.

Unlike politicians

“He holds these hearings and he listens to what people say to him.” -- Deputy PM Brian Howe, criticising Brian Burdekin's report on mental health care.

Wallflower

“It is important that people understand very clearly that from my point of view there are no such things as a private function for a minister. I cannot think of one major function that I have been invited to as Terry Griffiths.” -- NSW police minister explaining why it was okay for him to use a police helicopter for travel around Sydney.

On his watch

“There will always be opportunistic corruption in the NSW police force or any police force anywhere in the world.” -- NSW police minister Terry Griffiths.

Hazards of fame

“I was grateful for the offer to allow me to slip in early.” -- Virginia Bottomley, British health secretary, after a branch of Marks and Spencers opened 90 minutes early so that she could shop without being bothered by people wanting to complain about hospital closures.

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