It became very clear to the director that it would be foolish not to use our friendship. I had tried to talk to him about it because all the relationships in the film are so not negative but antagonistic. There's not a lot of love going around.

Value your friendship. Value your relationships.

I think we learn the most from imperfect relationships - things like forgiveness and compassion.

But Australia faces additional regional and global challenges also crucial to our nation's future - climate change questions of energy and food security the rise of China and the rise of India. And we need a strong system of global and regional relationships and institutions to underpin stability.

At the start of his second term one wonders less about Obama's fitness than his willingness: Why doesn't he do more to build and maintain the relationships required to govern in era of polarization?

On the other hand when I give it closer thought I realize I'm not enough of a dictator to conduct an orchestra because it requires a pretty awful person. When you read these biographies of famous conductors they are all awful people who fail in their private relationships.

But in my heart of hearts this is the kind of thing... this is what everyone is struggling with in their lives - relationships and family. To me it's always an interesting area to mine. I'm drawn to it.

Getting a family into work supporting strong relationships getting parents off drugs and out of debt - all this can do more for a child's well-being than any amount of money in out-of-work benefits.

Broken relationships are a source of heavy heartbreak that seem to affect every family.

I work more now because at this time of my life I am not disturbed from my aim by outside pressures such as family passionate relationships dealing with 'who am I?' - those complications when one is searching for one's self.