And a government that accepts that it will be judged more by its deeds than by its mere words.

I'm a politician. I'm not going to get into a whole range of scientific argument with scientists.

The measure in the budget in relation to parental leave pay is based on a simple proposition. Most women across Australia have access to one scheme funded by the taxpayer. Some women have access to two schemes and that's great.

Like the Governor-General, when asked what you enjoy most about the job my tendency is to say "today", because of the insights you get into our nation and because of the privileged contact you have with so many people.

I am, as you know, hugely unconvinced by the so-called settled science on climate change.

I would not want to see any relaxation of the law prohibiting human cloning.

The last thing Australia needs right now is instability and uncertainty.