The lesson of the Federation should be that the lesson is over. Australia must have a new idea of itself. We have to strike out in a new direction, in a new way, armed with our own self-regard, our own confidence and fully appreciating our own uniqueness. All other roads will lead us into the shadow of great powers.

Politicians come in three varieties: straight men, fixers, and maddies.

No choice we can make as a nation lies between our history and our geography. We can hardly change either of them. They are immutable. The only choice we can make as a nation is the choice about our future.

I think leadership's always been about two main things: imagination and courage.

When the Berlin Wall came down the Americans cried, 'Victory,' and walked off the field.

If there was a university degree for greed, you cunts would all get first-class honours.

Good economics is good politics.