Loose cannons

Feel good

"Black ink makes people feel there is a cover-up. To make readers feel good, the censored parts will be whited out ..." — A Thai defence ministry spokesperson on plans to re-censor a highly censored report on the crushing of the 1992 pro-democracy movement.

Minimisation

"It's meant to minimise the overall inconvenience to people." — A spokesperson for Sydney CityRail on trains skipping stations when they are running late.

Especially if you're Catholic

"It is always fairer for individuals who hold deep personal views on issues ... to be able to follow their own conscience." — ALP frontbencher Cheryl Kernot advocating a conscience vote, rather than a party policy, on women's right to access IVF.

Stimulating

"The bonus system is, in my view, an important management tool to stimulate high performance from our bureaucratic chiefs." — Queensland Premier Peter Beattie on why his government is payment up to $30,000 in bonuses to each of 18 department heads who already receive $200,000-plus packages.

Hot

"The market is as hot as it's been for a long time." — Chris Knoblanche, head of Arthur Andersen accountants, enjoying the business generated by tax changes.

From GLW issue 416