People who have put money aside on the basis of a certain set of rules shouldn't have that money raided just because government has got a problem.

In drawing an inference or conclusion from facts proved, regard must always be had to the nature of the particular case, and the facility that appears to be afforded, either of explanation or contradiction. No person is to be required to explain or contradict, until enough has been proved to warrant a reasonable and just conclusion against him, in the absence of explanation or contradiction.

Oppositions are not there to get legislation through. Oppositions are there to hold the government to account.

My mum and mad were both very generous, encouraging parents.

I think that marriage is, dare I say it, between a man and a woman, hopefully for life and there are all sorts of other relationships which should be acknowledged and recognised, but I don't know that they can be recognised as marriage.

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.

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