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

It's very easy for Australians living in big cities to either romanticise or demonise the situation in Aboriginal places - to kind of look at things through the 'noble innocents' prism or through the 'chronically dysfunctional' prism, and I suspect that is so often the case.

I am not being negative, I am simply being factual when I say Kevin Rudd is the best friend the people smugglers have ever had

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.

I feel a little uncomfortable at being asked the sorts of questions that other Catholics in public life tend not to be asked.

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

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