JOURNALIST:
(inaudible) Newspoll?
TREASURER:
Well, it indicates that the federal election next year will be close, and there's no doubt about that. Elections always are close. And it is important, I think, that people focus on the big issues like economic management, national security and defence. And that is what we will be focussing on in the New Year.
JOURNALIST:
Do you think Saddam's capture is helping your chances of re-election?
TREASURER:
Look, I do not think you should see what is a massive win for justice in domestic political terms. The capture of Saddam brings to the end, a career of one of the great tyrants of the latter part of the twentieth century. And this is a great day for justice. A great day for justice.
JOURNALIST:
Do you think our troops may be coming home from Iraq reasonably soon?
TREASURER:
Well, we still have a substantial number of troops in Iraq. They are assisting with securing the situation and doing useful tasks and, whilst they still have useful tasks to do, they will continue to do it. Thank you very much.