This is appalling. The idea that a person could be punished because of their religious belief and the idea they might be executed is just beyond belief.

If I am wrong and you are right then the democratic process of the Australian community will vindicate you and condemn me.

It's beyond belief that any Australian could be so stupid as to carry drugs into any country in Asia.

You are not prime minister of Australia because of some kind of process of divine selection. You are prime minister of Australia through the gift of the Australian people.

Nonviolent action on behalf of justice is no automatic forumla with promise of success: but neither is war. After all, at least half of the people who go to war for some cause deemed worthy of it are defeated.

We won't just automatically click our heels and follow the Americans.

Sport is an important part of the Australian psyche. Anybody who thinks that sport is not part of the fabric of Australian life misunderstands this country quite dramatically.