Quotes of the week

“On top of that, I’m entirely ready to take a shovel, dig up the press gallery and turn it into a garden for ornamental cacti. Their lack of self awareness is staggering. Who, on one hand, lectures politicians for focusing on leadership instability, while at the same time, reporting on nothing else?” {Corrine Grant over at The Hoopla on 25^th June 2013}

“Since when has disrespecting a parliament, rather than respecting a parliament, been an act of loyalty? Since when is disrespecting the office of prime minister, rather than respecting the office of prime minister, seen as an act of loyalty? Since when is verballing and patronising electors, that they somehow got it wrong in 2010 rather than respecting the result, seen as an act of loyalty?” he said.

“Of course, none of these are acts of loyalty at any level. They are the acts and views of radicals. And many, too many, have fallen into this lazy world of spit and venom at the expense of nation-building and investing respectfully in our institutions that are the foundation of our democracy.” {Rob Oakeshott in The Guardian UK on 25^th June 2013} 

“Who would want to be a woman in the sexist snake-pit that is Australian politics?” {Araminta Wordsworth in National Post on 28^th June 2013} 

"It's a very strong team ... but there is one person who I particularly want to mention. "We have a strong and credible broadband policy because the man who’s devised it, the man who will implement it virtually invented the internet in this country. Thank you so much, Malcolm Turnbull."

{Tony Abbott in http://youtu.be/oQbm6InGeUg 27th June 2013}

"Tony Abbott should avoid further embarrassment by not opening his mouth ever again on anything related to telecommunications. He’s had years to get it right, and he still has no clue."{Robert Merkel in LarvatusProdeo on 28 July 2013}

“Van Onselen was voicing the concerns of more than a few of Abbott’s colleagues, who fear being handed power with no mandate and no agenda.”

{Waleed Aly in The Monthly in July 2013}