So, my friends, in a week or so the Governor-General will swear in a new government.

Both Mum and Dad were converts to Catholicism, and normally if you convert to Catholicism you have thought about it more than someone who just grew up with it, taking it for granted.

I want to see an end to sovereign risk questions over Australia.

Abortion is the easy way out. It’s hardly surprising that people should choose the most convenient exit from awkward situations.

Faith is important to me. It's important to millions of Australians. It helps to shape who I am. It helps to shape my values. But it must never, never dictate my politics.

The problem with politicians getting to know the issues in indigenous townships is that we tend to suffer from what Aboriginal people call the 'seagull syndrome' - we fly in, scratch around and fly out.

I don't bring religion into the square.