Loose cannons

Issue 

Really?!

"Like many people on the right of the Labor Party, I never believed in socialism." — Former ALP minister and current Packer flunkey Graham Richardson.

Hilarious

"It's funny that all roads still seem to lead to Mr Packer acquiring Fairfax." — A federal Coalition backbencher on the government's frequently revised plans for media law changes.

Limits

"There should be limits to democracy. Democracy does not mean anybody can do whatever he or she wishes without any control." — Thai interior minister Sanoh Thienthong, defending new rules under which media will be prosecuted for spreading false information that damages the economy (which is in a slump), and talkback radio callers will have their names, phone numbers and addresses recorded.

Than Colston?

"He's always worked within the guidelines. Perhaps he's become more vigilant." — A spokesperson for deputy PM Tim Fischer on her boss's claiming of $152,605 in travel allowances from January 1992 to April 1997.

Labor does it better

Fischer was outscored on travel allowances by two ALP frontbenchers. David Beddall claimed $179,325 in the same period and Kim Beazley $172,680.

How the worms turned

"I would have been considered to the right of Genghis Khan when I joined the [Labor] party in 1948. The way the party's changed, I'd now be considered to the left of Lenin." — Mick Clough, NSW ALP MP for Bathurst.

Or something

"It is the wrong decision at the right time for all the wrong reasons." — Victorian federal Liberal MP Bob Charles on the government's car tariff plan.

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