Normal relations

Normal relations

"[There is] a full resumption of normal relations. I have not spoken to him since." — Former Liberal leader John Howard, on the "end" of a dispute with current leader John Hewson.

Spoilsport

"The [NSW] Police Commissioner, Mr Tony Lauer, announced yesterday that the days of informal get-togethers, drinking bouts, even dinner parties, between police and criminals ... were officially ended." — Sydney Morning Herald, March 9.

God's balance of payments

"The US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr Winston Lord, said Washington believed it was doing 'God's work' in trying to force open Japanese markets." — Sydney Morning Herald, March 9.

Christian charity

A vicar of the Church of England in Lincolnshire who opposes the ordination of women has called for women priests to be burned at the stake as witches.

Can't please everyone

"Good news rattles market" — headline in the March 11 Financial Review.

Appropriate

"[HCF] initiated the discussions as part of its continuing consultative approach to reviewing treatment programs for members in order to ensure high quality and the most appropriate health care." — Terry Smith, HCF's chief executive officer, on the health fund's suggestion that it should have a say in whether, and for how long, psychiatric patients are admitted to private hospitals.

Don't ask for a reference

"I would be surprised if any government in Australia considered Mr Temby suitable for much at all." — Former NSW premier Nick Greiner on the retiring head of the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption. Greiner was forced to resign when Temby, his appointee, found that Greiner was guilty of corrupt conduct.

From GLW issue 135