It's too much to expect in an academic setting that we should all agree, but it is not too much to expect discipline and unvarying civility.

The 'black armband' view of our history reflects a belief that most Australian history since 1788 has been little more than a disgraceful story of imperialism, exploitation, racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. I take a very different view. I believe that the balance sheet of our history is one of heroic achievement and that we have achieved much more as a nation of which we can be proud of than which we should be ashamed.

Young people are at risk of being disinherited from their community if that community lacks the courage and confidence to teach its history.

There is a very special place in the Australian psyche for sport. It is one of the pillars of the Australian way of life. You don't really understand what makes the Australian nation tick unless you understand the great affection Australians have for sport.

In my estimation, there should always be a mixture of economic liberalism - which means small government, a great emphasis on markets - but also a certain degree of social conservatism, not to favor change unless that change is beneficial. So I describe myself as an economic liberal and a social conservative.

A conservative is someone who does not think he is morally superior to his grandfather.

Truth is absolute, truth is supreme, truth is never disposable in national political life.