PM Kevin Rudd is considering offering Peter Costello a job, says Matthew Franklin. He doesn’t know what yet, but Costello’s interested. How very West Wing.
Goodbye Costello
Bolt: Why Malcolm shouldn’t be so cheery
Haven’t the Libs considered why the former treasurer finally gave up his dream of being prime minister? wonders Andrew Bolt It’s likely not a guts issue; he thinks they can’t win.
Crikey Says: Costello channels Woody Allen
Peter “ing out” Costello used his farewell to parliament to quote Woody Allen on the subject of immortality. Here’s the (slightly redacted) transcript.
The man who never was: Costello closes the door
Peter Costello’s entire career can be summed up fairly simply: he had so many opportunities and never used them.
Carney: Thwarted in his singular goal, golden boy opts to write finis
Costello’s frustrated and failed leadership ambitions will always at least partially obscure the historical assessment of his time as Treasurer, says Shaun Carney.
Megalogenis: Boom, then Peter Costello’s gone from politics
Costello’s greatest failure was not to make more of the opportunity of prosperity, writes George Megalogenis.
Colebatch: Dr Peter and Mr Costello
It is hard to define how much governments influence economic activity, says Tim Colebatch, but Costello kept Australia on track.
Abbott: The nation’s loss is the Liberal’s gain
Peter Costello leaving the parliament is his country’s loss, but his party’s gain, writes Tony Abbott, in a eulogy for his colleague.
Coorey: End of an era as Costello goes
Costello’s departure draws a line under a political era, says Phillip Coorey.
Farr: Big smiles as Cossie gives them what they want
They lined up with beaming smiles to say pleasant things about Peter Costello because he did what everyone had wanted — quit, says Malcolm Farr.
Atkins: Sweet ‘n’ sour ending to Peter Costello’s career
Wayne Swan’s goodbye to Costello acknowledged his “considerable contribution” to public life and described him as formidable. John Howard’s statement couldn’t have been more different. It was a sour note for a truly significant event, writes Dennis Atkins.
Wright: Dancing his last fandango, he still had star quality
Costello, having played come-hither for so long, artfully choreographed his own delicious exit, says Tony Wright.
Kelly: Regret, relief for right decision
Costello’s retirement is the right decision, writes Paul Kelly, but his career failed to ever reach its potential.
Grattan: The almost-leader bows out from his half-world
Costello made a sensible decision, says Michelle Grattan; his colleagues were becoming impatient and the political teasing had lost its excitement.
Crabb: greatest hypothetical in Australian politics is over
And like that, Peter Costello was gone, writes Annabel Crabb. Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull meanwhile “floated into question time looking beatific”.
Gazard: Costello’s faith and decency did not suit brutal times
Peter Costello suffered because of his refusal to stoop to the level of the political machine, writes his former political advisor David Gazard.
Costello ends his long tease
Peter Costello has announced he will not contest the next election, effectively drawing his 20-year political career — and the Howard years — to an end. (Revisit the Crikey Costello archive here.)
