"When it comes to labour market reform, here's the difference between us and John Howard: John Howard regards labour as just like any other economic commodity. We actually see labour as made up of human beings. These are human beings with an intrinsic dignity. When they go to the workplace, they're not just like a lump of wood or a piece of coal, these are human beings, and they should be treated properly as people with intrinsic rights."

“I say to those opposite: we intend to prevail in this battle of ideas, on the ground, right through to the next election. We intend to prevail.”

“Labor’s message then is this: we believe in a strong economy; we believe also in a fair go for all, not just for some.”

“There's nothing like having a bit of somebody else in you.”

“It is unlikely that you'll have anything emerge from MEF by way of detailed programmatic specificity.”

“We have seen this complete right wing takeover of modern liberalism, and it is an ugly spectacle to behold.”

“... no diplomatic intervention will ever be made by any government that I lead in support of any individual terrorist's life. We have only indicated in the past, and will maintain a policy in the future, of intervening diplomatically in support of Australian nationals who face capital sentences abroad.”