Costello’s mission to destroy the Liberal Party
— Michael Brissenden, “Costello caught out on leadership comments”, 14 Aug 2007. We thought when that story came out that it was just the wine talking. Costello never challenged Howard, never went to the backbench, just sat quietly while John Howard drove his party at high speed into the brick wall called Kevin Rudd. Costello didn’t even strike when Howard canvassed departing. As we’re now seeing, though, Costello is hell-bent on doing exactly what he said he’d do, but to Malcolm Turnbull, a man he despises every bit as much and possibly more than John Howard. Costello most definitely caught the fire this week. These are the bald figures on media mentions in the last 48 hours:
This was the week when Australia received its first set of negative accounts in eight years — it’s most important economically since the collapse of Lehman Brothers heralded disaster for the world economy. And the new Coalition Treasury spokesman is barely on the radar compared to the backbencher Costello. And even Turnbull significantly lags him — especially on TV. If Costello had been singing from the same hymn sheet, it might not have looked as bad, but he was all over the place, demanding the Coalition reject the Government’s IR bill, talking about the ETS, suggesting more infrastructure spending, and talking crap about nuclear power. And just as his silence last year made him appear interesting, the more he talks now, the clearer it becomes that he’s a lightweight. That stuff on nuclear power was nonsensical. Mal Washer — one of the most sensible backbenchers in the Liberal Party — is bang on the money with his complaint today that Costello is destabilising his own party. In fact, he’s been doing it since he announced his memoirs last year. What a miserable, bitter and small-minded man Costello must be to get his kicks from being a professional wrecker. They really hurt you, didn’t they Peter, when they refused to countenance you leading them while you were in Government. And Turnbull’s tax efforts from the backbench in 2005 obviously stuck in the craw, didn’t it. Now you’re going to make them pay and the rest of us, along with your party, because the chances of having an effective Opposition diminish every time you open your mouth. Today’s Morgan poll has the Government increasing its 2PP lead to 61.5-38.5. Surely it must peak soon — the GDP number might do the trick — but some of us thought that when it was 57-43. On those numbers, Peter, both you and Malcolm would be looking for new jobs after an election. Maybe that pleases you. This sort of thing could possibly have been indulged when times were good and the only tough decision was how to spend all that revenue from the resource sector. During an economic calamity, it’s the last thing we need. The Liberals now look like they’re in for another version of the Howard-Peacock feud that cruelled them in the 1980s. At least that one was semi-ideological in character. It’s unclear what ideology Peter Costello holds, beyond that bizarre religious wingnuttery to which he enthusiastically subscribes. And worse than either Howard or Peacock, neither of whom ever missed a chance to go for the leadership, Costello had the chance to step up to the plate last year and declined for a second time. Turnbull put up his hand, and won. He and his frontbench, whose efforts to hold the Government accountable are being deprived of oxygen by Costello’s antics, deserve better than this. There’s only one way out for the Liberals and that is for Costello’s closest supporters — Tony Smith, Mitch Fifield — to make it clear to him that he must leave politics, or step up to the frontbench. It might help if Nick Minchin made it clear that the Right was unhappy with his antics as well. In the meantime, we’re witnessing one of the lowest, most selfish and spiteful acts of political bastardry in many a year. To think that this bloke was ever considered Prime Ministerial timber. |
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31 Comments
This mirrors your comments pretty much! xx
What were the sale figures on Costello’s book ? The Private Sector had this guy pegged from the start, so the ‘Big Job’ offers did not come. He is not worthy of the attention being given him. A ‘wantabe who never was’.
The only thing I see consistent about Mr. Costello is his hatred for unions. He seems to have hated them from his early days at uni. I still remember pictures of him in the press, cowering in his bed after being in a fracas with some left wing fellow students. His success as a solicitor was winning several cases against unionists. As treasurer, his main aims seemed to be user pay for the low income and tax breaks for the wealthy. His other consistency is blaming others for his failures and overblown belief in his own ability. He appears as a loner as he does not seem to have the ability to attract people who support him, leading to lack of numbers that prevented him from making challenge for PM. He appears to have stayed in parliament because he cannot obtain a job in private enterprise and to get even with everyone who never gave him support. No matter that he was too lazy or disinterested to make the necessary effort earn this support.
fehowarth Costello was belted by one Michael Costa, a raving Trot from the Left faction. Costello wrote to then-Young Labor head Michael Easson to complain about it, and left Young Labor not so long afterward.
Unlike Malcolm, Peter Costello doesn’t appear to be able to find another job.
for nothing.
Would it be insane to suggest that Peter was dithering on the back bench whilst going through all the job offers. When there were none he decided he had to stick with politics — Whoa! Nobody wanted him back on the front benches. What to do? Start buggering up the Party which had rejected him. Immediately he rushed off to try religion. He fell in with a group called The Circumcision of Fire’ (something like that) who possibly threw him out as being too rich even for them. He did his usual PC cheerio by dobbing them in, for being the bl-eding ratbags they obviously are.
Back to square one. He went into training by doing virtually nothing for a few months, then a stay at a ‘barnstopping of hatred’ rehab home. Lo he was revealed as the bitter, twisted horror that he always has been. You don’t get a mouth like that,
What really is the big worry is Turnbull’s apparent inability and/or lack of support from his fellow Libs to slap him into an iron mask. He must be the only person on the planet for whom it cannot be said: better to have him inside the tent and pissing out, etc. Therefore Turnbull is justified in keeping the man on the back benches. Bitterness like Costello’s frequently ends up begetting cancer. Unfortunately for the Liberals, it won’t happen soon enough.
At least John Howard did one thing right - he kept Costello at bay.
Peter Costello is news because with media exposure he has become the alternative alternative Prime Minister. Whether he really wants to be who would know, probably least of all Costello. He never seems to have known what he was doing with the leadership. Not a very good recommendation for any leadership position, least of all for a Prime Ministerial aspirant.
The politics of Costello’s position have been analysed to boredom levels by a press always more concerned with ego clashes at the top than policy. Since by default, design or divine providence he has become the de facto alternative alternative Prime Minister it’s time to have a look at the policy he is espousing, particularly for the financial crisis.
I am starting to understand why there is a reluctance by commentators to assess his policies for their economic viability rather than for their political implications for the leadership . It’s because the financial crisis has started to sort out the bunnies among those making economic commentary . They can’t just say what everyone else is saying like they usually do because everyone else is unsure of what is happening and there are many stories so you have to actually explain why their own scenario is feasible. That really exposes the bunnies.
Back to our alternative alternative’s economic policies for the financial crisis. He was critical of Rudd running any deficit so therefore is against any stimulus package. He thinks leaving the old IR laws in place and delaying emissions trading are the answer. Neither would have any short term impact because the old IR laws are still currently impacting the workplace and emissions trading hasn’t started. Massively higher unemployment. and economic misery would result from his policies which are out of step with the RBA, Treasury and every country in the world. What was he doing all those years in Treasury, reading “Playboy” ?
It appears that I’m just about the only person on Crikey who still does have time for Peter Costello. Turnbull is so inert at leading that a jab every now and then from Peter is at least getting some press coverage, unlike Turnbull.
Peter Costello is trying to save the Liberal Party from the Turdbull driven irrelevancy of being a faint echo of the social libertarian politically vacuous drivel that emanates from the ALP and passes as policy now-a-days. If Lindsay Tanner led the ALP, we’d have a strategic thinker (albeit a flawed one) in charge. Peter Costello fought communism when the issues were real and violence from the extremists on the left was present across all campuses in Australia. I admire and respect him for the courage to speak out and the time he has taken to consider what he believes really matters in society. He is absolutely correct when he says the industrial relations changes will diminish the chances for a quick recovery from recession because global capital will desert Australia and small business will scale back out of fear. He has earned the right to comment on Australian politics having served this country at great personal cost. His loyalty should not be seen as a weakness. He did want the leadership but he was not prepared to wreck the Liberal Party to achieve it. That was not due to a lack of spine but a lack of spite. He accepted that his colleagues had the right to make that decision even if he felt that they were wrong - that’s what democracy is all about. He didn’t want to use the tactics of a Keating or a Kennett, both leaders who destroyed their parties.
The ABC was clearly stirring the possum by including Costello on Q and A. I do get sick of them generating their own news, but PC did himself no favours last night. Is there any chance he could be rolled in a pre-selection ballot for his own seat before the next election? His original pre-selection was probably the last time he actually contested something.
Why does the media persist in giving Costello a stage. The country does not need his opinion on the economy, he is no longer treasurer. About time Turnbull reigned him in, although they are just as bad as each other.
Nothing worse than the last party guest who will not take the hint that it’s time to go home.
Bernard is spot on when he writes: “This sort of thing could possibly have been indulged when times were good and the only tough decision was how to spend all that revenue from the resource sector.”
And that’s all little Peter has ever experienced - good times, when there was plenty of money to throw around. He’s not the economic master his glee club paint him as. Didn’t he preside over the loss of billions on speculative trading by Treasury?
The sooner he bu99ers off to some highly paid but meaningless job for the mates, the better. Oh, but his mates aren’t in power anywhere special. What a shame.
Last night on Q&A Costello seemed brittle, bitter and arrogant. By contrast his appearance on the same program last year was amusing, assurred, relaxed and (God help me) almost likeable. Despite his derision of anyone else on the panel, and the reappearance of the old superior smirk, he couldn’t tell anyone what he’d do differently in the current circumstances. He ridiculed KR’s critique of neo-liberal economics but I had the impression, with him at the helm, mugs like me would be be exhorted to suffer the tender mercies of those approaches in the face of the GFC. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks and Costello’s been chasing the same ball for 20 years - good times or bad.
And Bernard, who cares if he wants to punish the ideological whores and complacent Howard sycophants of the Liberal Party for their refusal to recognise his self-proclaimed brilliance. We all reap what we sow and those guys arrogantly ploughed the field for 12 years at the expense of every marginalised group on whom they could possibly direct public prejudice and scorn. Bon appetite.
The right’s answer to Mark Latham, perhaps?
Taxonomists are reclassifying jellyfish having discovered that they have more backbone than Costello.
On Q & A last night he asked Lindsay Tanner to give him his portfolio and invited Kevin Rudd to ‘appoint’ him as an advisor.
So… that’s nothing like your shit-stirring a few weeks ago Bernard?
fLASH-bACK: “Come on, “you at the back, Keane! Didn’t you write how Rudd was going to take a base-ball bat and smash it repeatedly into Turnball’s face?”
“How do you feel about that now?” “Especially as a few days later have shown that Turnball was most likely correct”
“Face it lad, you’re a shit-stirrer, what hope have you got in a normal job?”
“So, we’ve lined up a job for you at Crieky. They’ll take anyone, as long as they’re left”
What were the sale figures on Costello’s book ? The Private Sector had this guy pegged from the start, so the ‘Big Job’ offers did not come. He is not worthy of the attention being given him. A ‘wantabe who never was’.
This is a beat-up, really. I dont think Costello was saying anything radically different from Malcolm Turnbull and large sections of the business community, when he expressed his opinion about the adverse consequences for employment that the ETS and IR legislation, in its present ar promised form, would have.
What did strike me though, watching the QA programme, was how uncomfortable Tanner was with Costello. Costello is a better public debater that Turnbull. He tends to cystalise the argument for his listeners and then drives in hard on his opponent and he has, not unexpectedly, a good grasp of the economic data. That is why he was very effective in parliament. I think Labor fear him and that fear will grow as the ‘Keynesian pump priming’ the Labor government are following fails abysmally and unemployment climbs to 9-10%.
Having said that, the Liberals have to be able to work with Costello. So long as they are singing from the same sheet, he could actually help Turnbull.
Perhaps “we’re witnessing one of the lowest, most selfish and spiteful acts of” of left wing journalistic “bastardry in many a year”?
And Mal Washer? A permanent backbench for 11 long years with no future according to Keane: “one of the most sensible backbenchers in the Liberal Party”!!!
Spare me. That would be true only to fellow loons who want to unilaterally attempt unsuccessfully to reduce the world’s CO2 production by at best less than 0.5%?
I do not give a fig for the dreadful Costello or his mates, but think it is appalling that any comments about him are directed to the effects on his party and not one thing about whether his behaviour is ensuring he is doing what he was elected to do - effectively represent his electorate.
Gary Carroll: All I can tell you-and I am one of the poor basta-ds who live in the electorate of Higgins. I started trawling the bookshops in Glenferrie Rd a week after the dazzling (?) book launch of this priceless piece of literature-into the nearest ditch.
The Walter Slurry book, Not the Costello Memoirs, was outselling Costello’s opus by six to one. Two weeks later they were remaindering Costello for the Christmas trade.
I live in the absolute heart of this deranged politician’s turf. You know, where all the old ladies glasses are meant to fog up at the mere sight of PC walking into the my local chemist. These ladies may love him to a man, but they weren’t buying his book. The one thing they had in common-the bookshops and the old ladies on Zimmer frames-was the rueful laughter at one of life’s more tragic political ev figures.
Love the lefties typical defence of a sound Labor thrashing on live TV!
“Oh, he’s making a play for the leadership”
Rudd does it so often he’s now known as “Look! Over there! A Lib leadership challenge”.
Uri Geller’s got nothing on Rudd…
“All hail the master of misdirection” and his henchmen (and women) at Crikey.
You have Costellos measure. He is craven to say the least. He had 11 years to fix our tax system and did not do so. He had every opportunity to go for the top job but his courage failed him. Now when we need to be intent on saving our country, his guaranteed indexed super allows him screw us again. Please find out what the pulp rate is on the tome that passes for his record.
Obviously there is more going on in the Liberal’s back room than we are aware of, Nick Minchin stated that comments about leadership intrigues were ‘salacious’, interesting, and Malcolm Turnbull agreed with the comment. I thought it was just about a group of people who cannot believe that they are no longer in power and are involved in stabbing each other to death. They are so involved in their own internecine faction fighting and making negative comments to the media about anything and everything they have lost any idea of how they are being viewed by the general public.
I see a Celebrity DeathMatch - the World’s Greatest Treasurer vs the Global Financial Crisis. A claymation spectacular. The cynic suggests Costello hanging back during all the bloodshed and red ink and then humbly accepting the sceptre from a grateful nation on its knees. Joe Lyons indeed.
Joel B1: If you aren’t careful someone will hit you with a piece of 4X1.
If the Liberal party were serious, they’d kick Costello out onto the crossbench, and let him natter away there. But they wont, so they aren’t (serious). You stay in a party, you play by its rules.
David Dawes raises an interesting point but ignores the bleeding obvious. He is right that MPs primary functions relate to representing their electorates. Political parties don’t even cop a mention in the constitution, reinforcing David’s point. But when Costello’s talking about national issues in a manner which clearly extend well beyond the electoral boundaries of the seat of Higgins, it’s hard to see which of his constituents he’s representing. He’s representing one constituent only: P Costello. His comments about IR are clearly not limited to Higgins. And I’m sure he’s not advocating a nuclear power plant in his own backyard.
No Fiona I meant timber.
I am so pleased to read Crikey’s assessment of Mr. Costello’s media appearances this week. His pre-meditated antics are appalling. I only wish the ABC and the mainstream media opinion pages would take a similar look at the facts instead of encouraging Costello’s coy gibberish in order to fuel leadership speculation and ratings (I mean you Tony Jones). As you point out, Mr. Costello has had more than one opportunity to assume the Party leadership and he balked. His time has passed. Members of the Liberal Party know this and voters do not have the patience for further game playing given the gravity of the issues facing the country. The Rudd Government is badly fumbling on a number of key issues: economic management, IR, EFT, water policy, and foreign policy matters. Now is the time for the Opposition to be united and to offer alternative ideas, policy options and experience. If he doesn’t fall in line, Mr. Costello - not Mr. Turnbull - will be the one Australian’s should hold responsible for the lack of an effective Opposition which is at the core of a democracy and something Australian desperately needs given the long-term implications of many of the policy decisions being taken by the Rudd Government. Is there any wonder Mr. Costello was unable e to secure a big-paying job in the corporate world with the types of qualities that have been on display in this and recent weeks? What a bitter and pathetic human being. Time to exit stage right, Mr. Costello.
Er Bernard, I think you mean Prime Ministerial ‘timbre’, not ‘timber’?
Having said that, someone needs to cut Peter Costello down to size (pun intended). Every time he opens his mouth, the media come a fawnin’ and create a magnifying effect. From his perspective, why should he move back to the frontbench and subject himself to real accountability, when he can make all the potshots he likes from the safety of the backbench, knowing that his every word will be reported and repeated ad infinitum?
Frankly, I don’t give a toss whether Costello makes a move for the leadership or not - the Libs’ problems go way beyond his sneaky attempts at destabilisation, and it’ll take generational change to weed out all the undesirable characteristics. What really annoys me, though, is the fact that this guy sat on the backbench and took the public’s money as salary, whilst pursuing profit-driven activities like writing his memoirs.
Peter, if you’re not coming to the frontbench, at least have the decency to respect the taxypayer dollars that fund you, and resign your seat at the next election.