The quality of government, I suppose, is determined not by what happens, but by how you react to what happens.

Abortion is the easy way out. It’s hardly surprising that people should choose the most convenient exit from awkward situations.

Climate change is crap.

I was a very senior minister in the Howard government and I sat around this particular table [in the prime ministerial office] in many discussions. The difference between being a senior minister and the prime minister is that ultimately the buck does stop with the prime minister and in the end the prime minister has to make those critical judgement calls and that's the big difference.

The argument [behind climate change] is absolute crap. However, the politics of this are tough for us. Eighty per cent of people believe climate change is a real and present danger.

I instinctively try to protect people from filth.

The Australian people expect the Government to govern, they don't expect it to make excuses.