Fed: Leadership question should be off agenda: Downer

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2006
Fed: Leadership question should be off agenda: Downer

CANBERRA, Aug 1 AAP - The future of the Liberal leadership should be off the party's
agenda while it focuses on winning a tough election next year, Foreign Minister Alexander
Downer says.

Prime Minister John Howard ended weeks of speculation yesterday when he announced he
will contest a fifth consecutive election, thwarting Treasurer Peter Costello's leadership
ambitions.

Three weeks after Mr Costello demanded Mr Howard retire by Christmas, the prime minister
told Liberal Party MPs he intended to stay on as leader.

Mr Costello has accepted Mr Howard's decision, saying he will remain on the frontbench.

He had earlier called for an orderly transition, but Mr Downer said the focus should
be on the election which will be difficult for the coalition to win.

"I don't think the Liberal Party should be speculating on how they're going to carve
up the glory of victory after the next election before the Liberal Party's won the next
election," he told ABC Radio from Tokyo.

"John Howard has done a wonderful job as the prime minister of Australia.

"I think the parliamentary party is delighted that he's listened to them, that he's
continuing in the job, but that's not to take anything away from the outstanding work
that Peter Costello's done.

"He's been a fantastic treasurer and the deputy leader and he's been an integral part
of the team."

Mr Downer said the treasurer's decision to bring the leadership question to a head
did not mean Mr Costello had shown poor political judgment.

"The treasurer has been the deputy leader of the Liberal Party for 12 years and the
treasurer for 10 years, he must have pretty good political judgment relative to most people,"

Mr Downer said.

"He's got great ability, great talent and he obviously has got political judgment because
he wouldn't have held those positions for all that time if he didn't.

"I wouldn't underestimate that and I think he'll continue to serve very well in that position.

"He doesn't have the numbers, he made the right political judgment yesterday, I thought."

AAP rp/maur/nf

KEYWORD: LEADERSHIP DOWNER

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