Loose cannons

Lucky it happens so seldom

"Sacking an entire class of apprentices just before they were due to take up permanent positions with Qantas is the kind of behaviour which gives the free market a bad name ..." — Liberal MP Tony Abbott.

Psychological problems

"Bankruptcies can cause quite a large social disturbance — workers may not be prepared psychologically [for unemployment]." — Wang Dongjin, vice-chairperson of China's State Commission for Economic Restructuring.

Not even the poll tax?

"One of the depressing things over the past five years is that we've not had enough fun in Conservative politics." — John Redwood, candidate for leader of the British Tories.

Opportunity

"We have had the opportunity to refine those systems ..." — Dan Donovan, hired to head technology for the Sydney Olympics after filling the same role at the Atlanta Olympics, where the computer system reported some results hours late, reported others before they occurred and described competitors as 50 centimetres and six metres tall.

Uncle Joe, move over

"Good Luck, Tony Blair" — Slogan on a long red banner with which Poland's ruling former Communist Party led Warsaw's May Day celebrations. They also carried a huge portrait of the British Labour leader.

Wanta bet?

"[Crown Casino] brings entertainment like we've never seen before; it brings a standard of facilities that we've never seen before; it puts us on the international map like we've never been before." — Melbourne Lord Mayor Ivan Deveson.

From GLW issue 274