Liberal leadership tensions to erupt

Liberal leadership tensions look set to erupt again after a new airing of claims that Peter Costello threatened to destroy John Howard's leadership unless the prime minister stepped aside within a year.

Mr Costello is alleged to have told a group of journalists in 2005 that he wanted Mr Howard to stand aside by April 2006, threatening to challenge the prime minister if he would not go willingly.

The treasurer, it is claimed, went on to indicate he would go to the backbench if necessary, and destroy Mr Howard's leadership from there until Mr Costello was finally successful.

Mr Costello also reportedly said in 2005 that at the next election: "Howard can't win. I can. We can, but he can't".

The comments attributed to Mr Costello by ABC TV's 7.30 Report are not entirely new, and were alluded to in a recent article in The Bulletin.

The Canberra dinner in March 2005 at which the remarks were made had been declared off the record, ABC TV's Michael Brissenden said , but he had kept notes from the event.

The fact that Mr Costello had twice denied making the "Howard can't win" remark was justification for now making the treasurer's remarks public, Brissenden said.

Asked if the report was true, Mr Costello denied it and then went on to take a swipe at journalists and use of sources.

"I must say, when I read some of these things I wonder where the journalists get them from," Mr Costello told the Nine Network.

"They generally speak to somebody who's spoken to somebody, who was down the back of a pub, who heard the barman say and it gradually finds it way into magazines or articles. But no, that's not the case."

Labor's Wayne Swan said Mr Costello had effectively been accused of lying about his remarks.

"The treasurer must now immediately explain his denials if he is to retain any credibility in public life," Mr Swan said.

"It is clear from tonight's revelations that the working relationship between Mr Costello and Mr Howard is beyond repair and can only undermine the government's capacity to govern in the national interest."

The public airing of the remarks will add fuel to the constantly simmering tensions between Mr Costello and Mr Howard on what should have been a night of celebration for the treasurer - his 50th birthday.

Long-running leadership tensions reached a nadir last year when former minister Ian McLachlan confirmed that a handover discussion took place in 1994, where Mr Howard promised to hand the leadership to Mr Costello after one and a half terms if the coalition won the 1996 poll.

The tensions have been rumbling since Mr Howard, in 2001, promised to consider his future near his 64th birthday in 2003.

The prime minister decided to stay on, leaving Mr Costello obviously disappointed.

But then, and at subsequent times he has refused to challenge Mr Howard.

Labor has long chided Mr Costello for not having the courage to follow the example of former prime minister Paul Keating, who went to the backbench after unsuccessfully challenging his predecessor Bob Hawke in June 1991.

Mr Keating was successful during a second challenge in December that year.

The revelations could be even more damaging for the Liberals, coming so close to the next federal election, and could sound the death knell for Mr Costello's leadership hopes.

Brissenden said he was present at the dinner with Mr Costello and other journalists, including then-Bulletin writer Tony Wright, at a Canberra restaurant on March 5, 2005.

Brissenden said he made notes of a conversation in which Mr Costello said he would "destroy" the prime minister's leadership.

He said the treasurer told the group he had set April 2006 as the "absolute deadline" for Mr Howard to stand aside, or else he would challenge him.

"He said he was prepared to go to the backbench," Brissenden recounted.

"He said he would `carp' at Mr Howard's leadership from the backbench and `destroy it' until he won the leadership."

As the allegations were airing on television tonight, Mr Howard was joining Mr Costello for birthday drinks at Parliament House.

Mr Costello's office was not immediately available for comment.

Mr Howard would not comment as he left the function.

©AAP 2007

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User comments

LIbs should say bye to Howard. With PC (not the computer) at the helm at least they will have a good excuse why the lost the next election.

Bring it on ! This has been simmering in the background for several years. It's about time it was brought out in the open and the two comdatants, John

Costello has had opportunities to challenge Howard but lacks the courage. Now it is too late. Good riddance to both of them. Disunity is suicide in politics.

The focus on the latest allegations against the treasurer questions whether he did or didn't make a statement regarding challenging the PM. What has been ignored is the fact that a meeting took place which was off the record and yet some journo decided to take written notes to use at a later time. So much for the ethics of journo's

Costello may well try to destroy John Howard, but it will be in vain, I don't think anyone will vote for Costello. No one likes him.

Johnny lies, Pete lies. Should they stay or should they go now? Is it just me or are the lies peddled during the past 2 federal elections finally come home to roost? Am I expected to vote for an ageing, arrogant, dishonest dismissive PM at the next election or his spineless, arrogant, equeally dishonest subordinate. Oh wait, that's right, either way we end up with Pathetic Pete.

thank you peter costello. at last a real leader comes to the fore. unfortunately he does not have the backbone to officially declare that he will challenge the old codger in power who has taken the australian mindset back to the dark days of the 1950's. grow a spine costello and let us see the real liberal party at work. after 11 years of lies and deciet australia must be ready for a little truth. maybe not . but just keep that prosperity coming. we could save so much money by sacking the lot of them. this government makes me ashamed to be an australian.

If you look back through history you will find many accounts in the media of the Coalition missleading the people of Australia. It comes as no surprise to me that Peter Costello has been accused of lying when he denied that he said he would destroy Howard. In my opinion it's just another lie in a long list from various members of the current government. The old saying is 'Where there's smoke there is fire.' So surely all these reports can't all be wrong.

Wether the comments from Peter Costello about "destroying" John Howard's leadership are true or not, it is a morally and politically destabilising for any minister to want to challenge the leader of this country unless he has bonafide cause to do so such as the Prime Minister's decisions having a devastating effect on the physical, moral and economic security of our country For any minister to want to usurp the chosen leader for his own personal ambitions only highlights the flaws in his own integrity I believe that leaders must be chosen by the Australian people at legitimate elections and not by default as Costello seems to have in mind. Had Howard stepped down to defer to Costello, it would not necessarily have been the peoples' choice, and if we respect our constitution that upholds "government of the people, for the people and by the people", then the PEOPLE of Australia decide who they deem right as leader, not party politics I say, Mr Costello....back off....

"Liberal leadership tensions to erupt" only because you, the media, continue to create the issues by draging out past comments (that were apparantly withdrawn in this case). I'm so tired of seeing so much political bias and bad faith in the government by the media. It might sell air time but it's not good for our country.

It's nice to know just before an election what a happy family the present Government is - just what we need to carry us through the next decade. The truth is Peter Costello thinks he and he alone is responsible for the strength of the econony, therefore he should have the top job and have it now. I am neither a Howard hater or admirer, but his attitudes as a Prime Minister connecting with people ( except for being out of touch on some things) is preferable to the arrogance of Costello, and his obscession with the economy and figures, and his inability to really relate to ordinary people Kevin Rudd looks more attactive every day !

Costello has given Howard the perfect out. Howard will resign for health reasons and Costello will take over. After they lose the next election Costello will be the fall guy and will be pushed aside to make way for the next apirant.

Yes, of course Costello should have a tilt at Howard, he has to show that he's got the ticker to take on a lying rodent like Howard. We all know how deceitful Howard is and so does Peter, so come on Peter stand up to what you know is wrong and please bring some decency, dignity, honour and righteous back to our system of governance. Get rid of Howard and his spineless ýes men' ie Downer, Abbott, et al. Do it before the elections, because with Howard at the helm you are all doomed to a very humiliating defeat.

I am 65 years old , I have always voted liberal and supported the liberal party . I will not vote for or back a Costello liberal party , I do not like the alleged way Mr Costello is hurting the liberal Party and I do not have any confidence that Mr Costello will not chalange Mr Howard after he wins the next election , for this reason I will not be voting liberal at the next federal elections.

Costello should have done this years ago. He needs some courage! I will probably vote Labor, but I think this country will be much better off with Costello as leader of the Libs. In many ways, Howard has retarded this country's growth. For years he's pandered to the most negative emotions in the electorate - fear, general ignorance, greed. And if Costello really has been our best-ever treasurer, then I don't see why the Libs don't give him a shot. He's their only chance at the next election.

To win this election Mr Castello has to come clean and chalenge Mr Horwat for leadership! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

It is strange that we are only now finding out things supposedly said by Costello when an election is pending. It seems to me to be part of the dirty tricks campaign to discredit government members. I have respect for both the PM and Treasurer, they have combined to do a great job on the whole over their terms of ministry. But the media loves nothing more than to publish or report a bit of gossip and sensationalism. I for one am fed up with it! It's childish! We should judge the government on it's performance not on petty things like this. There are more important things to consider than whether Howard invites the Costellos to the Lodge for example. Who cares!

It simples terms, a house divided amongst itself can not stand. Costello should remain supportive and patient until such a time. He is only damaging his reputation and undermining the his party. What one is becoming is more importand than what one is accomplishing.

he should not take john howards job he's a bloody joke!

I just hope the Liberal government is re-elected. I don't want to go back to the black old days of a labor government. I can only hope hope hope it's Liberal!

As usual ABC journos show their true Labor colours. Is it any wonder that the ABC is the lowest rating TV station who's current affairs programs rate lower than even the dumbed down rubbish on 7 and 9. We have two former ABC people running as Labor candidates, the compare of the 730 report is a former Whitlam staffer and now this hack is happy to publicise what even he admits was an "off the record" dinner. Shame ABC ... if your Union lefty buddies lose the election, I hope PC takes away your funding and puts on repeats of Monkey Magic ...at least that program was balanced, entertaining and came forward with a message that added value.

It would seem unlikely at the moment that Mr Howard will win the next election. It would be much more unlikely that the lIberals will win if the smug Costello was there leader

Another pathetic beatup by the extreme left-wing media cuasing mischief instead of doing professional journalism, which they are extremely poor at. This sort of guttersnipe journalism may win over the gullible union-member types, but those who have a bit of common sense will see through it. This is not the time for leadership change, and Peter Costello is smart enough to know that.

Happy 50th birthday Peter Costello. I thought the ABC might have taken their election gloves off tonight to show their loyal viewers some of your positive attributes not the least a good sense of humour and the intelligence and ability to calmly and successfully manage our national economy. I'd hate to think of anyone seriously taking notes whilst at dinner with me and then making the contents of my conversation public a couple of years down the track, even if true. Actions still speak louder than words and I think Michael Brissenden, presumably a good bloke, could have acted in a more dignified manner on this occasion. Most Aussies regret saying some things over dinner but there's nothing worse than a person who insists on reminding you in the morning let alone in public on your birthday and some years later. Let's face it, it can be embarrassing especially if you deny and the other person pulls out their notes to prove it. I'm sure the nation will survive this chardonay crisis.

What a fool Costello is. He has single handedly destroyed the best Government since I can remember,and thats From Gordon on. Costello has shown just how much of a Judas he is and has lost all respect and credability not only from his own party (who will never vote for him to lead) but also from the Australian Population at large. What you have done is so not Australian Mr.Costello.You have let your team down and if they ARE on the opposition bench after the election the full weight of the loss will be on your shoulders. Mr.Howard....You are the greatest Prime Minister this country has ever had. IF (and I'm not conceding defeat just yet) you loose the next election You can hold your head up high. You are the only Prime Minister that has come in my life time who has genuinely put this Great Country of ours and it's People before himself.I know that everything you have done, you have done for the good of this country.Congratulations Sir.

More garbage being aired by some jurno who wants fifteen minutes of fame. Howard will retire when he is ready and Costello will not be the next leader of the Liberal party. Have a look at history and learn, Costello like McMahon a very good Treasurer but not a leader. The future leader of the Liberal Party is Mal Brough, this man has leadership written all over him, but not yet, maybe in 12 - 18 months, leave Howard there until then.

I some how get worried when people come out with stories about what so and so said about so and so, just before a big event. How can I trust some of the other media people when it is declared "of the record", quote "of the record, ABC TV's Michael Brissenden said , but he had kept notes from the event." end quote. I gess it isn't worth the trouble to be worried about what might happen and come out one day, so I'll keep my mouth shut for now, and write a book on jerno's I'v know.

Costello is more dishonest and not to be trusted

WHO IS THE BETTER LIAR. or has one learnt from the other or as it seems inate in the Liberal Party. Children overboard, Wheatboard etc, etc, etc, etc.

Costello should have challenged Howard last year when he had the chance. It is too late now with an election looming. Despite Costello's predictable denials there is no reason not to believe what a journalist of the reputation of Michael Brissenden is revealing on this issue so damaging to the Coalition. Equally, there is little doubt the leadership of the government was promised by Howard to Costello but the PM reneged then, typically, fudged his way out of it. This is a government of hubris, with a bog morality. It has been there too long and is now disintegrating in public. Not a pretty sight. The sooner Rudd and a fresh team is installed the better for the governance of this nation.

This is an oh so obvious attempt to undermine the Coalition Leadership Team in the lead up to the Federal Election. The ALP and the Socialist media must believe that the KEVIN07 can't beat the Coalition with John Howard at the helm.

A politician that lies? Next they'll be saying there's no such thing as the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, or choices in little Johnny's Work"Choices"...OK, some would never admit the last one.

Once again the Liberal Party has been caught out lying to the Australian electorate. Lets face it, why would a story such as this, the tamper debacle and all the other stories surrounding our national leadership be made up by journalists and top public servants? Come on Mr Costello and Mr Howard get a grip of reality as you would very much sink the boot in if the shoe was on the other foot, wouldnt you? Or would you be nice boys and play fair? Give me a break you are a right porky pair.

And they want to govern me? Hah, what a pair of jokers.

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