Costello: 'I don't want the leadership' (2 Viewers)

[Rafy]

Unfortunate news. Time for Turnbull to make his move. I doubt Nelson will survive the current parliamentary session.


Why I won't be leader, but I'll go in my own time

PETER COSTELLO has declared that he is not interested in leading the Liberal Party, freeing the party to sort out its leadership woes in the coming weeks.
In an interview with the Herald, the former federal treasurer said he was pursuing options outside politics and would leave Parliament when it suited him.
He said that his position had not changed since the day after the election when he renounced any claim to the party's leadership and signalled that he was planning to leave politics.
In the interview, which presages the publication of the first extracts from his memoir exclusively in the Herald from Saturday, Mr Costello expressed frustration at the speculation that has dogged his every step since.
"I think I've made it clear," he said. "I'm not seeking the Liberal Party leadership.
"They say, 'Oh, we've had a bad week, better bring Costello back.' I think that's basically what happened. And I said, 'No, I'm not seeking the leadership, I don't want the leadership'.
"Which proves that there must be some huge plot. I'm not going to go out and say it every day because the febrile state they're all in, the more I say it, the more they speculate."
He said he supported the leader, Brendan Nelson, and had told him so.
Mr Costello said that he was considering some options outside politics: "I've got a few things that I'm working on but my position as a backbencher is quite separate from any return to the leadership.
"I'll continue to serve my constituents and if I get to the point where I feel I'm no longer able to do that as well as I want, I'll make an announcement then. But at the moment I'm very happy serving my constituency. But I'm just a backbencher."
The Liberal Party has retained Dr Nelson in the leadership, despite dismal polling figures, because it has been hoping that Mr Costello might be persuaded to take the leadership.
With the clarification that he is not interested, the party will feel free to remove Dr Nelson and most likely install the leading contender to replace him, Malcolm Turnbull.
Parliament begins a two-week sitting on Monday, providing a forum for the change if the party decides to act immediately.[...]

 

[Iron]

At least the Diaries will be a good read.
Ratting on a rat: impressive

 

[MissSarajevo]

because he is hopeless when it comes to beating Kevin Rudd in terms of policy and popularity. He is bitter and full of anger at John Howard (and his wife) for not letting him be the Prime Minister.

 

[Farfour]

If turnbull wins I'm dancing in the streets

 

[Iron]

If turnbull wins I'm dancing in the streets

.

Didnt Stello say something about counter-challenging anyone who challenges Nelson? Pressumably to ensure defeat in 2010

 

[katie tully]

If turnbull wins im going to NZ

Au revoir! :wave:

 

[melanieeeee.]

i dont think costello would have been leadership material anyway.
also new zealand is a pretty cool place to go. bring me back something nice aye.

 

[jb_nc]

If turnbull wins I'm dancing in the streets

There's no way the Libs can win the next election because they stand for nothing...

PENSION INCREASE

LOWER PETROL EXCISE

WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE???

FARMERS. YEAH. WE FUCKIN LIKE FARMERS AND SHIT.

INCREASE DEFENCE MONEY BY A MINIMUM 3% P.A. FUCK YEAH. PLANES AND SHIT.

They echo that Republican style "Lower taxes but better services" shit that drove America into massive public debt.

Conclusion: Nelson is awful.

 

[Captain Gh3y]

There's no way the Libs can win the next election because they stand for nothing...

PENSION INCREASE

LOWER PETROL EXCISE

WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE???

FARMERS. YEAH. WE FUCKIN LIKE FARMERS AND SHIT.

INCREASE DEFENCE MONEY BY A MINIMUM 3% P.A. FUCK YEAH. PLANES AND SHIT.

They echo that Republican style "Lower taxes but better services" shit that drove America into massive public debt.

Conclusion: Nelson is awful.

ohhh liberals

that's terrible

 

[jb_nc]

ohhh liberals

that's terrible

look@u

ur a populist

 

[Captain Gh3y]

look at u

ur a populist

well a pension increase and temporary cheaper fuel are pretty smart moves if u want the populist vote

 

[Graney]

There's no way the Libs can win the next election because they stand for nothing...

I dream Turnbull will just fuck off all the policies of failure.

HOPE. ACTION. CHANGE.

 

[Farfour]

There's no way the Libs can win the next election because they stand for nothing...

PENSION INCREASE

LOWER PETROL EXCISE

WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE???

FARMERS. YEAH. WE FUCKIN LIKE FARMERS AND SHIT.

INCREASE DEFENCE MONEY BY A MINIMUM 3% P.A. FUCK YEAH. PLANES AND SHIT.

They echo that Republican style "Lower taxes but better services" shit that drove America into massive public debt.

Conclusion: Nelson is awful.

Yeah but they don't want to take away my porn and my internets

EDIT: And my fucking booze, cunts taxing my booze fucking ASSHOLES.

 

[Silver Persian]

If I were Turnball I wouldn't challenge until times were better for the opposition. Wait until people are sick of the government and actually thinking about alternatives.

 

[Farfour]

It's fucking coming in Conroy's lurking in the shadows like a lebo, ready to pounce on the white chicks of australia (in this case the white chicks are the internet and the act of rape is filtering the internet, which is what lebos do, that is, rape people)

 

[Rafy]

Leadership spill looms for Brendan Nelson

BRENDAN Nelson could face a leadership spill as early as next Tuesday after Peter Costello's declaration that he will not accept being drafted as leader of the Opposition.

Some Liberals are considering forcing a leadership ballot on the same day next week as the former treasurer launches his political memoirs.

The Leader of the Opposition welcomed comments yesterday by Mr Costello in which he ruled out a tilt for the leadership.

"I'm not seeking nor will I accept the leadership," Mr Costello told the Nine Network. "I can't be any more straight up and down than that. I said the day after the election I will not run nor will I accept the leadership. That is my position."

Dr Nelson responded by saying he would still be leading the Liberal Party at the next election.

"I am very resolute and very determined that I will be leading us through to the next election," Dr Nelson said.

Frontbenchers rallied to Dr Nelson and said Mr Costello's decision not to seek the leadership meant it was time to get behind the current leader.

"I think Peter clarifying his position ... now clears the air for Brendan," said senator Nick Minchin, Dr Nelson's main supporter. "It means the party should now get behind the leader that we elected last November, who I think has done a tremendous job."

But amid growing uncertainty about the leadership, some Liberals were last night floating new options, including creating a joint ticket of Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott to secure right-wing votes in the partyroom. The deal would not necessarily put Mr Abbott in the deputy leadership position, but could award him the key economic role of Opposition Treasury spokesman.

The move might be resisted. Many MPs are highly critical of Mr Abbott's public support this year for Mr Costello becoming leader. There is also strong support for Julie Bishop to remain as deputy Liberal leader. [...]

Question is who will be Turnbull's treasurer? Do not want Abbott.

 

[Silver Persian]

Malcolm really shouldn't challenge. Wait until the Ruddles government is falling apart.

 

[withoutaface]

Leadership spill looms for Brendan Nelson



Question is who will be Turnbull's treasurer? Do not want Abbott.

Hockey's the only real option. If Turnbull's to be leader he'll need to win it on a small l ticket.

 

[Captain Gh3y]

Malcolm really shouldn't challenge. Wait until the Ruddles government is falling apart.

so, in about 6 months?

 

[katie tully]

PETER COSTELLO has warned he has no intention of leaving Parliament any time soon and will fight any push by Malcolm Turnbull to replace Brendan Nelson as Opposition Leader.

Oh common Costello, don't make this any harder. I like you, plz don't make me dislike you. Plz let Turnbull replace Nelson. I mean, ffs, HIS SURNAME IS NELSON. HaHa.