Better late than never
"Overwhelmingly, my constituents are opposed to this full sale." — Queensland National MP De-Anne Kelly, threatening to cross the floor to oppose privatisation of Telstra (but the bill has already passed the House of Representatives: Kelly voted in favour).
Much later
"It's one thing to ask forgiveness of the living, and quite another of the dead." — Historian Elena Aga-Rossi, on reports that the Vatican will apologise to heretics killed for their beliefs.
Tell us when
"I am of the view that this is not the time for instability on the conservative side of politics." — Queensland National leader Rob Borbidge, after surviving a challenge from former transport minister Vaughan Johnson.
Better than a sequel
"Just over a year ago, an engaging book called Thailand's Boom appeared ... a second edition of the book has been published ... retitled Thailand's Boom and Bust." — Financial Times, quoted in the Financial Review.
Missed it, did we?
"Australia must resolve its labor market and Mabo issues to take advantage of the coming global recovery." — Access Economics director Dr Ed Shann, in a piece in the Economist two years ago.
The trouble with juries
"Just because somebody isn't convicted doesn't mean they haven't committed the crime." — Jan Wade, Victorian attorney general, presumably thinking about Peter Reith.
True blue
"Our view is that the Australian references are a legitimate reflection of [Winfield] being an Australian brand." — The cigarette company's corporate affairs manager, defending its advertising billboards in Germany, which portray a didgeridoo as an "Australian peace pipe".
Semi-eternal
"An unspeakable act." — French authorities on two drunken Mexican tourists who urinated on the "eternal flame" under the Arc de Triomphe, which had to be relighted.
Routine
"Routine bribes paid by Australian companies to government officials overseas are set to be exempted from a Federal Government crackdown on overseas bribery ..." — Financial Review, July 3.