Coal is good for humanity, coal is good for prosperity, coal is an essential part of our economic future, here in Australia, and right around the world.

We accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances, difficult things happen.

Now, I know that there are some Aboriginal people who aren’t happy with Australia Day. For them it remains Invasion Day. I think a better view is the view of Noel Pearson, who has said that Aboriginal people have much to celebrate in this country’s British Heritage.

The thing about social media is that it is anonymous, so it can be much more vitriolic and extreme than normal media and yet it is there for everyone to see. It is kind of like electronic graffiti. The political process is accelerated and intense in a way that I don't believe it ever really has been before.

I don't think it's a very Christian thing to come in by the back door rather than the front door.

And the commitment that I've been giving to the Australian people is that there'll be no surprises and no excuses under a Coalition government.

We have already provided a strong humanitarian response to the problems in the Middle East and that response will be stronger within coming days.