The most effective check and balance on government has been an independent press which maintains its credibility by ensuring that its criticism is balanced and based on fact – based indeed on solid journalistic work.

You will never find a better friend to the United States than Australia.

On balance, after weighing the arguments, I believe that the time has come for Australia to create a new sovereign wealth fund.

People learn from failure or from lack of success.

I do not believe we can effectively move Australia to a lower emission economy, which is what we need to do if we're going to make a contribution to a global reduction in greenhouse gases, without putting a price on carbon.

It's really corny to say, but if you are happily married and have good kids, that is about 98 per cent of what you should be seeking to achieve.

There is nothing more important in business or politics than a deal is a deal.