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.
Peter Costello 
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: When’s Tassie election date?
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.
Grattan: Turnbull’s imploding leadership
Malcolm Turnbull’s grip on the leadership is slipping, writes Michelle Grattan, with Peter Costello’s surprise exit, ETS in disarray and Joe Hockey admitting he’s been approached for the leadership.
Costello: Why I quit
Peter Costello gives his final bow to politics, refusing to indulge in leadership speculation but claiming the Liberal Party saved Australia from recession in the GFC.
van Onselen: Peter Costello’s parting gift
Peter Costello’s exit and the subsequent by-election that will be forced in his seat of Higgins is a gift to all Liberals — even Malcolm Turnbull, says Peter van Onselen.
Rundle: Coalition comes crashing down
Peter Costello’s departure has guaranteed the Liberal Party won’t be competitive in a Federal election until at least 2016 says Guy Rundle. And you can kiss the Coalition goodbye.
Turnbull has a Costello of a day
Peter Costello has (finally) announced his retirement from Parliament, reports Bernard Keane, piling even more pressure on embattled Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull.
Political power? The writing’s on the wall
It’s been a political writing bonanza, with Liberals finally joining the political book club normally run by Labor. Plus, books generate more kudos than a thousand poll-tested soundbites, writes George Megalogenis.
Costello: We can shape Copenhagen? Tell ‘em he’s dreaming
Don’t get sick of the ETS, because it will dominate the news for years. But, it would be stupid to agree to targets pre Copenhagen and any targets will be changed in the future anyway. Peter Costello will even bet you on it.
Carney: Rudd picks up where Costello left off on G20
In some ways, getting the G20 front and centre for global economic decision-making was a bipartisan Australian effort. It started with Peter Costello as Treasurer, backed up by Kevin Rudd, with some help from Barack Obama, says Shaun Carney.
