Why? It hardly seems as though Costello's mounting a challenge, or that relations between the two men have deteriorated. To be, he's just confirming previous statements that an informal leadership deal existed between Howard and Costello back in 1994.Raginsheep said:What this is though, as far as I can see, is that its the effective end of the Howard-Costello government.
Though I'm being highly speculative, perhaps he did it as a way to correct the PM. As in the PM's comments saying that no leadership deal was made could be taken by some (and maybe was taken by Costello) to mean that he is calling McLachlan a liar. If, without taking into account Howard's semantics that Generator mentioned, Costello thought that Howard was calling somebody a liar who isn't lying, maybe he decided to let the nation know that McLachlan was not lying.Rafy said:On costello's comments today, i was somewhat suprised that he confirmed the speculation. I would understand this if he were about to challenge, however i just dont see him doing that.
To bleed the story dry and make money in the process.Chrispy said:No, I mean, what's their motivation to be anti-Liberal? To cause controversy?
You have 11 posts and you're in the big blogger competition?Chrispy said:No, I mean, what's their motivation to be anti-Liberal? To cause controversy?
Bronwyn Bishop on ABC just had a good point; you can't hand over the office. John Howard cannot hand the reigns to costello, the members of the liberal party must in a vote.The Brucemaster said:Then after Howard wins the election he'll announce his retirement and hand over to Costello.
Yes but given the respect his party memebers have for him, he can pretty much anoint his successor.Captain� Obvious said:Bronwyn Bishop on ABC just had a good point; you can't hand over the office. John Howard cannot hand the reigns to costello, the members of the liberal party must in a vote.
Respect and support aren't one and the same, Raginsheep. Still, given that the other contenders are still working their way up, it's likely that any changeover that takes place soon will not be contested.Raginsheep said:Yes but given the respect his party memebers have for him, he can pretty much anoint his successor.
Prime Minister John Howard says he and Treasurer Peter Costello will continue to work together in their current roles despite a dispute over whether a deal was done to hand over the leadership.
Mr Howard continues to deny that in 1994 he promised to hand over the leadership to Mr Costello after serving two terms as Prime Minister.