Strange, that

“The image has not been a good or helpful one. It's all about spooks and reds under the bed and that kind of thing.” -- ASIO head David Sadleir on public perceptions of his organisation.

Rushed

“Frankly speaking, we just don't have the time to worry about political reforms.” -- A Japan New Party official on the coalition government's pledge to pass a reform package by the end of December.

On the nose

“The parliamentary party is on the nose with the rank and file. They are seen as stumblebums and many are sick of being told what to do by them.” -- A “senior Liberal” in NSW on the state's government, quoted by Paola Totaro in the December 3 Sydney Morning Herald.

It was socialism?

“[There is] an interpretation of our past which argues that Australia's history since 1788 is largely a story of violence, greed, exploitation, repression, capitalism, colonialism, and environmental vandalism ... I disagree fundamentally with this view of Australia's history.” -- Liberal leader John Hewson.

We will send in the Luftwaffe

“I am attacked in Germany every day. That's the way our constitutional system works. Internationally, it is absolutely unusual, it is impolite, it is also foolish.” -- German Chancellor Helmut Kohl after Greek government minister Theodore Pangalos described Germany as “a giant with bestial force and a child's brain”.

Who's changed?

“It's hard to think of too many policy issues now where we disagree with the left.” -- Right-wing numbers man Graham Richardson on relations between the ALP factions.

Reconstructed

“I don't accept we are dullards and unreconstructed thugs.” -- Graham Richardson on the ALP right.

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