Loose cannons

The experts

"The IMF's mask of infallibility hides a record of mediocrity punctuated by some truly costly blunders." — Harvard economist Jeffrey Sachs.

White blindfold history

"I wouldn't think that would be appropriate because I don't see that in the context of people who died in wars between Australia and foreigners." — Prime Menzies John Howard, rejecting a proposal for a monument to Aboriginal people killed in conflict with European settlers.

Stop press

"Indonesia is not a perfect democracy." — John Howard, demonstrating how travel has broadened his knowledge.

Cooperative

"We have got a really strong commitment out of Delta to work cooperatively to increase flows." — Mike Lee, deputy director of the NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation, after Delta Electricity threatened a lawsuit to block release of more water from its dams into the environmentally damaged Coxs River.

Fair go!

"There may be residual consumer prejudice." — British agriculture minister Nick Brown, on the European Union decision to allow export of British beef, banned for 32 months because of mad cow disease.

No sense of priorities

"Instead of talking business, all people talk about is Pinochet." — Mario Agliati, vice-president of Chile's National Chamber of Commerce.

Which are?

"The hedge funds have become the privileged children of the international financial scene, being entitled to the benefits of free markets without any of the responsibilities." — Reserve Bank governor Ian Macfarlane.

Dollars vote

"The market is basically a democratic mechanism." — Anthony Albanese, MP for Grayndler, guru of the NSW ALP "Socialist" Left.

From GLW issue 343