Loose cannons

Now for the Libs' rich mates

"People don't want any more special deals to help Labor's rich mates." — Liberal leader John Hewson.

Already history?

"When the history books are written, this treasurer will stand head and shoulders above any conservative treasurer" that the opposition ever produced. — Bob Hawke, defending Paul Keating after the announcement of unemployment figures that make this the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Royal plural

"We believe that the recovery will continue strongly into 1992 and, importantly, that the Australian economy will be in very much better shape than it has ever been before." — Bob Hawke speaking to parliament last week.

Depressing

"We all know that the Australian economy is now in recession and it is perhaps arguable whether we should be talking about a depression rather than a recession." — Labor Party Senator Peter Walsh, addressing the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, May 10.

Reassuring

With George Bush having heart ailments, we would like to dispel rumours that US Vice President Dan Quayle is ill informed about the state of the world. Take, for example, his remarks in Hawaii in September 1989: "Hawaii has always been a very pivotal role in the Pacific. It is in the Pacific. It is a part of the United States that is an island that is right here."

Loyal little mate

"I haven't had to consider my allegiances ... As far as I know there is no challenge at all. That means the prime minister is the prime minister until the next election and beyond." — Graham Richardson carefully avoiding saying that he would support Bob Hawke in the event of a leadership challenge by Paul Keating.

From GLW issue 12