Labor is at its best when we are the party of ideas and action - ideas that empower the powerless and actions that build a better Australia for the long term.

I've spent my whole working life standing up for workers. Didn't matter if it was the two trapped miners at Beaconsfield or professional netballers or indeed factory workers or construction workers.

Once upon a time, I thought denial was a river in Egypt. It's actually the attitude of the Abbott government.

I want to build a Big Labor party. A party of big ideas. A party which is deeply connected to the community. A party which reflects our diverse nation.

I'm a Christian and a supporter of marriage equality under the law.

What I believe to be every Australian's right - a good, safe job with proper pay and conditions.

My preference is that employees pay their union dues, but what I also get is that I'd rather someone be in the union than not in the union.

I'm proud of my record of negotiating agreements, representing people and making sure that both employers and employees could get the best out of going to work every day.

Productivity is driven at the enterprise level. Better wages, better performing workplaces, are driven at the workplace level.

When I entered federal parliament at the end of 2007, I was appointed parliamentary secretary for disabilities.

Trusting people to pursue their own futures invariably provides better outcomes. Money goes where it is needed, rather than being absorbed by administration costs.

The only thing worse than living with regret, is dying with regret.

I may be clean cut on the outside, but make no mistake... I like to get very, very dirty when nobody's looking.

Soldiers strike the foe in the face!

If you wish to strive for peace of soul and pleasure then believe.

Music is the first thing I ever cared greatly about. I've been singing and writing songs since I was six or seven.

There is so much more to understand.

You can't do a machine without knowing something about how it's going to work. As for the romantics, the costumes bored me and I don't enjoy doing period clothes.

Sin and accountability aren't popular messages. Yet being trendy and well liked is not the point. We're here to carry out the work and mission of God, even when doing so is uncomfortable.

Anybody can be Prince Charming one day a year, with the dinner and the flowers and all that. But you know what impresses me? When a guy can do that NO days a year.

The only women I publicly date are those who have a higher IMDB rating than me.