Don't get confused
"In reality, many of the faces we see in the street are the millions of tourists, overseas students and temporary business entrants who inject billions of dollars into the Australian community." — Federal minister for immigration, Philip Ruddock, answering those who argue that "Australia is being swamped by Asians".
Land of opportunity
"Just because you have a criminal record does not mean you can't be admitted to the White House." — A US Secret Service spokesperson, trying to explain how a convicted cocaine smuggler was invited to a White House Christmas party after giving US$20,000 to the Democratic National Committee.
Bad example
"The obligation to display wage restraint ... [and] ensure that wage increases are linked to productivity, is not an obligation that is confined to people on low and middle incomes." — PM John Howard attempting to quell mass mutterings after it was announced on October 30 that Coles-Myer chief executive Peter Bartels had received a $1.2 million (or 76%) pay rise for 1995-96, bringing his annual salary package to $2.8 million.
Only the "right" people
"This is another major step in the progress towards the expeditious development of our Busang gold project ... for the benefit of the people of Indonesia." — Canadian Bre-X Minerals' chairperson David Walsh on his corporation's new alliance with the Indonesian company PT Panutan Duta. A drop in Panutan's share price due to a dispute over ownership was resolved last week when President Suharto's eldest son, Sigit Hardjojudanto, was given a A$500 million stake in the company.
Good news
"The report is good news and should reassure consumers that they are not being systematically cheated." — The director of the US Federal Trade Commission on a study which found that checkout scanners record the wrong price 5% of the time, too low a price as often as too high.