How it all started …

“There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today, and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian.” — new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, September 15, 2015

Of course, he would say that …

“As long as the truffles are up to standard, there has never been a more exciting time to be Malcolm Turnbull!” — Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, December 3, 2015

But back to the topic at hand. Namely, things it is an exciting time to be (and do):

“It is the most exciting time to be a New Zealander” — PM Malcolm Turnbull, 19 Feb 2015

“As we continue passing legislation from the jobs and small business package, complemented by the recent launch of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, there really has never been a more exciting time to establish and grow a business in Australia.” — LNP MP Bert van Manen, February 10, 2016

“[T]here has never been a more exciting time for an MP to help a community evolve, and I look forward to making real progress for the people of Barton.” — Liberal MP Nickolas Varvaris, February 9, 2016

“We are serious about saying what we mean and doing what we say — unlike the Turnbull government, headed by a prime minister who is Australia’s answer to Sir Jeffrey Archer, a man who is doing his best to make sure that it is the most important and exciting time in the history of the world to be a tax dodger in Australia!” — Labor MP Terri Butler, February 8, 2016

“The honourable member demonstrates that there has never been a more exciting time to be a Tasmanian.” — PM Malcolm Turnbull, February 4, 2016

“[T]his is definitely the most exciting time to be in the agriculture industry.” — Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, February 4, 2016

“What an exciting time it is to be in nuclear medicine in Australia.” — ALP Senator Mark Bishop, February 11, 2016

“There has never been a more exciting time to sack half your frontbench.” — Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, December 29, 2015

“I would add to that and say that there has never been a more exciting time to be a regional Australian.” — Nationals Senator Michael McCormack, December 3, 2015

“[T]here are exciting times ahead for the Palestinian solidarity movement.” — Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, December 1, 2015

“It is an exciting time to be in northern Australia.” — Nationals Senator Nigel Scullion, February 3, 2016

“I am looking forward to 2016. I think it is going to be a very exciting time.” — Country Liberal Party MP Natasha Griggs, December 3, 2015

“This is an exciting time for the Australian tourism industry.” — Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck, November 30, 2015

“It is a very exciting time for people with disability, their families and carers.” — Labor MP Jenny Macklin, November 12, 2015

“It is an exciting time to be in government.” — Liberal Senator Andrew Sinodinos, November 9, 2015

“I think it is an exciting time for cities.” — Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, November 6, 2015

“With China’s middle class growing at levels that are hard to get your head around, this is an exciting time for Australian winemakers.” — Liberal MP Matt Williams, October 22, 2015

“This is the most exciting time in human history.” — Liberal MP Wyatt Roy, October 21, 2015

Things it is not an exciting time to be

“[T]here has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian. Conversely, there has never been a duller time to be a member of the Australian Labor Party.” — Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, February 4, 2016

“[T]here has certainly never been a less exciting time to be an Australian scientist.” — Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan, February 4, 2016

“The paucity of vision that this government … does not equal an exciting time to be Australian. In particular, it does not equal an exciting time to be an Australian worker.” — Labor MP Andrew Giles, February 3, 2016

“There has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian, unless, of course, you happen to be a student from a low-income household. It is certainly not a very exciting time for you, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.” — Greens Senator Robert Simms, December 3, 2015

“Malcolm Turnbull tells you that there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian, I can tell you the Australian public are not excited about the prospect of a GST.” — Labor MP Tim Watts, December 2, 2015

But wait: excitement can be scary

“It may well be the most exciting time to be an Australian, but that excitement is obviously based on anxiety and concern.” — Labor MP Sharon Bird, February 11, 2016

“[T]hese are exciting times but they are also uncertain times globally.” — Treasurer Scott Morrison, February 2, 2016

Though some say it’s not exciting at all

“It is dishonest to talk about agility, open policy, making new politics and exciting times.” — Labor MP Andrew Giles, November 30, 2015