Like a politician's speech
“To explain those words can make them more obscure.” -- Tony Branigan, executive director of the Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations, on regulations limiting when “gratuitous” or “exploitative” nudity or violence can be shown.
Unfortunate
“It's most unfortunate timing.” -- Ron Coghill, chief executive of the Defence Health Benefit Fund, on the decision to raise the fund's rates 22%, wiping out most of the federal government's 30% rebate for private health insurance.
Positive
“I want to be positive. I would like to try and have a document of reconciliation.” -- Prime Menzies John Howard, rejecting a document proposed by his own Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
Absurd
“The notion that this case was about money is absurd.” -- Minister for Employment Services Tony Abbott on the defamation case in which he, his wife and Peter and Tanya Costello won a $277,000 judgment against Random House.
Neo-conservatives?
“Both the Abbotts and the Costellos have declined to follow a courtly old custom of donating such damages to charity.” -- David Marr in the Sydney Morning Herald, March 6.
Name the policy
“We talked loud in opposition, but when push came to shove [in government] we failed to deliver the principled and forthright policy we promised.” -- Laurie Brereton (on the ALP's East Timor policy).
