Prefer 1880s
"He [John Howard] may pick up some extra numbers, but the bulk of the party room is just not interested in revisiting the 1980s." A Liberal MP on Howard's leadership chances, quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald, May 20.
Not all doom and gloom
According to Business Review Weekly's Rich 200 list, the wealthiest 200 people in Australia now own $36.7 billion — 30% more than a year ago.
No change, really
"For me ... it is logical to make the move to the corporate world." — Michael Easson, resigning secretary of the NSW Labour Council, quoted in the May 20 Australian.
Thanks, guys
"The party [ALP] and labour movement have been very good to me. All of my opportunities have arisen from them, and I'm very grateful for that." — Easson, quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Reassuring
"Consumers can be confident that we remain committed to assuring that foods produced by genetic engineering are as safe as food in our grocery stores today." — US Food and Drug Administration commissioner David Kessler. Genetically engineered tomatoes can now be sold in the USA without being identified as such.
Next stop, Mallorca
"He was admitted to a clinic in Tunis last week and is being treated for complications resulting from diabetes, from which he has long suffered." — Anna Craxi, explaining why husband Bettino Craxi, former Socialist prime minister of Italy, failed to show up for court proceedings relating to corruption investigations.
Travel for health
"If I were in his shoes, I would have been out of here some time ago." — Bettino Craxi's daughter.
Easy choice
"We can be a broad-based party inclusive of all Australians, or we can be a party run by the Melbourne Club." — John Hewson on the Liberals.