I think leadership is knowing what you want to achieve and then purposefully and sensibly taking steps to achieve it, remembering always that you have got to bring people with you if you are seeking to be a successful political leader.

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

The one thing that has changed dramatically when you talk to the people of New Zealand and people from Ireland? They feel a darned-sight better about themselves because they made the decision to do what they've done, and I can say to you, we would feel a bloody darned sight better about ourselves once we get an opportunity to put this [vote on same-sex marriage] out there.

A tax cut to compensate for a tax increase is not a cut - it's a con.

They've changed the salesman but they haven't changed the product.

I'm focused on doing the job the treasurer should do.I don't respond to gossip.

If we boost productivity, we can improve economic growth.