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.

There's always a lot happening. I mean, that's the thing about politics: it's just one damn thing after another!

I think that people should come to Australia through the front door, not through the back door. If people want a migration outcome, they should go through the migration channels.

To be sociable, I puffed on a marijuana cigarette, but I didn't inhale...I just hate the idea of drawing smoke into my lungs.

Jesus knew that there was a place for everything and it’s not necessarily everyone’s place to come to Australia.

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.

I don't bring religion into the square.