The Government's mission is to build a strong and fair Australia capable of meeting the new challenges of the 21st century.

Attaining a PhD is just an excuse that all young women are using nowadays to avoid starting families.

I just don't really get into all that sort of personal negative stuff. My job is to outline some positive plans for the country's future and perhaps Mr. Howard and the Government don't like the fact that I'm putting out some positive alternatives. What's their preference.. for me to be a negative carping opposition leader?

Compassion is not a dirty word. Compassion is not a sign of weakness. In my view, compassion in politics and in public policy is in fact a hallmark of great strength. It is a hallmark of a society which has about it a decency which speaks for itself.

Of course I base all my election promises and policies on opinion polls

If you accept it to be natural and normal to be gay then it follows it is not right for two folk who love each other to be denied marriage.

I deeply believe that if the Australian Labor Party, a party of which I have been a proud member for more than 30 years, is to have the best future for our nation, then it must change fundamentally its culture and to end the power of faceless men. Australia must be governed by the people, not by the factions.