Qantas
The 'Flying Kangaroo' has been Australia's national airline since 1920 and a darn fine job it does, too. Statistically, Qantas has never had an aircraft crash (see Rain Man) but there was some controversy a few years ago when it was revealed that it was airline policy not to seat adult males next to unaccompanied children in case the grown-up was a paedophile. This policy came to light when Mark Wolsay, who was seated next to a young boy on a flight, was asked to change seats with a female passenger. The steward informed him that "it was the airline's policy that only women were allowed to sit next to unaccompanied children". I don't quite understand how this is discriminatory and support Qantas in this stance. I know if I were in the situation of an unaccompanied minor on a flight, I'd rather have my todger toyed with by a woman rather than a man.
Quack
The onomatopoeic sound made by a duck and colloquially the term for a medical practitioner who pretends to have skills/knowledge/talents he does not possess. (see Nelson, Brendan, Dr)
Quadrillion
Technically this is one million times a trillion or 1024 and, at the time of writing, was the inflation rate of Zimbabwe.
Quango
This acronymic word comes from Quasi-autonomous-national-government-organisation, which means that while it may be a government appointed body, it has independent powers. We don't particularly like quangos.
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of England and, constitutionally, also the Queen of Australia. The life cycle of a Queen goes something like this: at birth she is given the title 'Princess' and is cocooned until the adult stage at which point, upon the retirement or demise of her father or mother, inherits the title of Queen and takes on the duties of a Queen. The Queen's duties include not being controversial, making occasional speeches, making a lot of money and opening things. (see Opera House, Parliament House) Upon her retirement, one of her offspring inherits the Royal Title or, in the event of her demise, we become a Republic. Our Queen is much loved and until 1984 God Save the Queen was our National Anthem. Framed portraits of Her Majesty (in a lovely tallow frock) still adorn the walls at Rotary meetings and some private schools. We need a framed portrait of King Charles and/or Queen Camilla to entice these institutions to embrace the concept of a Republic.
Queensland
My home state! Home of the Brave! Home of the Free! Home of the Reds! Home of the Broncos! Home of the Titans! Home of the Cowboys! Home of Buddha Handy! Go you good things!! (Thanks, Chris, for helping me out with that one.)
Queen Street Bushie
Queen Street is Brisbane's main street and a Queen Street Bushie is someone who works in the city but owns a country property to run at a loss and thereby minimise tax. In Melbourne, it is a Collins Street Cocky; in Sydney it is a Pitt Street Farmer and in Canberra it is something we should follow up, don't you think, Wayne?
Question-without-notice
An oral question asked of a Minister (or Prime Minister) without prior warning on a matter that falls within the Minister's (or Prime Minister's) responsibilities. We don't particularly like questions-without-notice, unless they come from our side of the House.
Quince
This is a funny Australian word. It just sounds good. Like 'chook', or 'frock'. A quince is actually the acidic fruit that comes from the tree of the same name. My Aunt Emily used a bucket load of sugar when she bottled quinces and here's the interesting thing... when anyone annoyed her, she had a saying, "He really gets on my quince!" And it gets more interesting, because a 'quince' is an old-fashioned term for a male homosexual... and Aunt Em's brother, Uncle Ambrose, was known as 'Nambour's Most Eligible Bachelor'. Could be irony, could be coincidence, could be fact, but I guess we'll never really know because I never sat next to him on a plane.
Quintillion
Technically this is a number followed by 30 zeros and, at the time of writing, was the inflation rate of Zimbabwe.
Quokkas
Quokkas are very small wallabies that are found in large numbers on Rottnest Island, off the coast of Western Australia. 'Rottnest' was so-called by the Dutch explorers who thought these little marsupial critters were rats ('Rat's Nest'). We don't particularly like quokkas because they look like rats.
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Q
Qantas
Quack
Quadrillion
Quango
Queen Elizabeth
Queensland
Queen Street Bushie
Question-without-notice
Quince
Quintillion
Quokkas
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