If I was in a refugee camp somewhere on the Pakistani border, of course I'd want to come to Australia.

Aboriginal people have much to celebrate in this country's British heritage

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.

No senior politician can expect to have work-life balance. I'm afraid there are some jobs for which work-life balance inevitably goes out the window. If you want work-life balance you just have to accept that you can't be a senior member of a government, or for that matter a senior member of an opposition.

For small business men and women, less paperwork means higher profits, boosted sales and more time with the family.

Even potential human life needs to be treated with great respect.

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