Loose cannons

Issue 

Visionary

"If we stick to these hard-core issues, we are going to win the next election and we're going to continue to have the most visionary prime minister Australia has ever had." — Former NSW premier Neville Wran, waxing lyrical at the state ALP conference.

Luckily, they hate us

"It is still a vote very much against the government, not for the Coalition." — Michael Lavarch, federal attorney-general, drawing what comfort he could from polls showing Labor trailing the Coalition among blue-collar workers.

Faith, hope and bribery

"If the government does not limit it to December next year, this commission will lead to the total collapse of public faith in the police." — A lawyer, quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald, on the NSW Police Royal Commission, which has already documented extensive police corruption and has another 14 months to run.

Two and six?

"We would improve the quality of our politicians if we paid them what I consider to be appropriate remuneration for the amount of time and effort and skill they have to bring to bear to do the job." — Dick Humphry, former director-general of the NSW Premier's Department.

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