Loose cannons

November 3, 1999
Issue 

Back from the dead

"You never kill the inflation dragon, but it's subdued at the moment." — Treasurer Peter Costello, who three months ago declared the "dragon" dead.

And their wallets

"In telling these [bank] stories, Lawsie will invite Australians to open their minds." — Marketer Bob Miller, part of the advertising agency that arranged John Laws' contract with the banks.

Well?

"British children confuse Prime Minister Tony Blair with God and believe that Queen Elizabeth 'sits around drinking wine all day', researchers for a BBC television documentary have found." — Sydney Morning Herald, October 27.

Don't ask me; I'm the boss

"[We were] left looking very stupid because we don't know what is going on and have to rely on the media." — John Valder, a member of the SOCOG board, denying knowledge of Olympic ticket arrangements.

Is there another one?

"I am the ugly face of capitalism." SOCOG's commercial and marketing general manager, Paul Reading.

Try it anyway

"The boards of our major banks should not need me to tell them that they have a social responsibility to support regional communities." — Deputy Prime Menzies John Anderson.

Probably

"What's next? A machine that X-rays people's pockets to find out how much change they have and raises the price accordingly?" — A "beverage industry executive" on Coca-Cola's development of a vending machine that raises the price of Coke in hot weather.

Why they need Australian training?

"Our forefathers never taught us to shoot real bullets at our own people." — Indonesian Brigadier General Saurip Kadi.

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