In a news flash of epic proportions, fresh information is emerging about one of the great mysteries of Australian politics: why Peter Costello always has an arrogant smirk plastered across his face.
Peter Costello
Costello’s $600 million Cambodian crusade
Peter Costello’s $600 million private equity foray into Cambodia will struggle to avoid the corrupt taxes and charges attached to nearly all commercial deals in the mostly-peasant nation, write Bernard Keane and Andrew Crook.
C’mon, Kev, show some guts: tell us where we’re weak
We need more than just idle talk from a Prime Minister and a Treasury that knows what’s needed and should have the guts to issue a report pointing out our weak areas and suggesting what needs to be done.
Your timing’s off, Costello: an odd time for Liberal triumphalism
It’s fine to celebrate one’s victories, but the Liberals (and Peter Costello) are in danger of misunderstanding, and therefore systematically underestimating, the threat from the Greens.
Costello: How the Greens — and their preachy superior activism — fluffed Higgins
The media thought the Greens had the Higgins stitched up: no Labor candidate, lots of climate change talk, Libs leadership spill. Too bad the zealous morally superior Greens underestimated the intelligence of the electorate, says departed Higgins MP Peter Costello.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Kroges and Cossie at the Tower of Power
Victorian Division Liberal Party power-brokers Michael Kroger and Peter Costello were seen yesterday (Monday) chatting away at the Tower of Power, 101 Collins Street, where Kroges holds court at JT Campbell and Co, the investment bank of which he is the Chairman.
Kroges and Cossie had a huge falling out in the aftermath of the 2007 […]
Costello: How Turnbull blew it
Malcolm Turnbull’s divisive and forceful leadership has destroyed the Liberal Party, far more so than Kevin Rudd’s government has, argues Peter Costello.
It’s all Peter Costello’s fault
Peter Costello is to blame for the current implosion of the Liberal Party, says Scott Prasser. He was the anointed one, groomed for the leadership, and his refusal to accept the job left the party with a power vacuum that no one has been able to fill since.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: When’s Tassie election date?
Bookings have already been made for polling booths for the next Tassie election. Plus, some interesting family connections at Peter Costello’s new plum job with BKK partners.
Costello: I agree with Rudd on refugees, stand tough
It’s easy to criticise government policy on asylum seekers from the comfort of your middle class life, which will never see the inside of a leaky boat. We need to take a clear stand against people smugglers, says Peter Costello.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Costello and pandimensional politics
Crikey readers weigh in on the controversy surrounding Kevin Rudd appointing Peter Costello to the Future Fund and the difficult asylum seeker debate continues.
Hartcher: Is Swan the anti-Keating?
Wayne Swan is acting a lot more modest over the Australian economy’s GFC rebound than Paul “the recession we had to have” Keating, writes Peter Hartcher. But it’s thanks to Keating and Peter Costello that we avoided further trouble
Crikey Says: Rudd leads the nation, not the ALP
The Coalition should give up — its best and brightest have left politics and now work for Kevin Rudd. And Rudd’s power as national leader now looks unassailable.
Guy Rundle: A Costello on each knee, Rudd plays for laughs
What if Rudd’s appointment of Peter Costello to the Future Fund was a little too clever? What does he do if Costello takes the piss: finding safe harbour aboard the ship of state, he refuses to leave, despite continuing to denounce the government by means of messages in bottles?
Coorey: Another day, another job for old Lib enemies
So, Kevin Rudd has continued his tradition of giving plum roles to former foes by handing Peter Costello a spot on the Future Fund board. It paints him as bipartisan, but it’s also a bit hypocritical, writes Phillip Coorey.
Costello: I can teach you a thing or two about tax reform
Peter Costello modestly lectures the Federal Government on what it can learn from his own tax reforms. “On no account should there be a tax on the family home,” he warns, lest we end up mimicking America’s subprime crash.
Kerr: Chaos rules as Costello runs down the clock
Parliament resumed yesterday, and the big news was that Peter Costello would not be giving a valedictory speech. Instead, he held a doorstop presser to talk about himself. Christian Kerr has all the highlights.
Labor’s super reforms have only just begun
Chris Bowen has made it clear he regards superannuation as one of the great Labor reforms, and one that can be wielded effectively against the Coalition.
Antony Green: A Higgins by-election preview
With Peter Costello retiring, his seat of Higgins will be up for grabs in a by-election. Antony Green wonks out on the polls and predictions: Will Labor field a candidate? Will Tim Costello run? Could we see a swing to the Greens?
Costello: the PM that never was
Peter Costello’s economic legacy will live on, but it’s his thwarted leadership ambitions, trapped by John Howard, that will stay around forever, writes Shaun Carney.
Shanahan: Turnbull isn’t the problem, says Abbott
Joe Hockey won’t challenge for the Liberal leadership until after the election, but he’ll take it on if Malcolm Turnbull steps aside. But Tony Abbott points out that Turnbull’s just become a scapegoat, writes Dennis Shanahan.
Harvey: Double trouble for Turnbull
Peter Costello’s dream to lead the nation is finally over, and he won’t be back, writes Michael Harvey. But his departure is a double edged sword for Malcolm Turnbull, battling byelections and leadership struggles.
Grattan: Turnbull is a goner
“It’s almost certainly all over for Malcolm Turnbull”, writes Michelle Grattan. Joe Hockey seems the obvious replacement leader, but will he be any different than Turnbull?
Mann: The Liberal Party, a play in three acts
As the curtain closes on the Peter Costello Show, he takes a moment to reflect on his 20 year political career, writes Simon Mann.
