tayser
May 1st, 2005, 11:05 AM
Le HUN (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,15140401%255E661,00.html)
Howard and Costello showdown
By LINCOLN WRIGHT
01may05
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5003803,00.jpg
Battle for the Lodge: Peter Costello and John Howard.
PETER Costello was "amazed" by provocative comments John Howard made about staying on as Prime Minister, a source close to the federal Treasurer said last night.
And Costello insiders said the frustrated Treasurer might fight for the top job.
It also emerged last night Mr Howard and Mr Costello were likely to meet soon to try to avoid damaging friction.
The Treasurer, who had hoped to be Prime Minister by now, believed next week's Budget might be his last before a smooth transition to The Lodge.
Sources close to Mr Costello said the Treasurer viewed the Prime Minister's remarks as breaching an agreement on leadership transition set in place after October's Coalition election victory.
That agreement reportedly would see Mr Howard quit some time next year, after a decade in the top job, leaving the way open for Mr Costello.
But Mr Howard appeared to taunt his deputy with comments in the Greek capital of Athens on Friday before returning home from China, Japan and Gallipoli.
Mr Howard said that while Mr Costello was preparing his 10th Budget, he was doing his 16th -- if you included a stint as Malcolm Fraser's treasurer.
"I enjoy the job immensely -- I still have lots of energy for it. I still have plenty of ideas and there are a lot of things I want to do."
Mr Howard also said he had beaten Opposition Leader Kim Beazley at the polls -- in 1998 and 2001 -- and could do it again.
Mr Costello was told by Mr Howard of the remarks in a phone call on Friday night. Sources claimed Mr Howard had said his remarks had been misinterpreted.
Insiders said Mr Costello had been shocked and annoyed.
Commenting on speculation that he might transfer to Foreign Affairs, Mr Costello reportedly quipped: "I do want to swap portfolios, but not with the Minister for Foreign Affairs."
Yesterday, Mr Howard said: "The position in relation to my leadership has not changed from what I said at the last election.
"The interpretation (in Athens) is that I've adopted a new position. I haven't . . . I will stay as leader as long as my party wishes me to."
One source said if Mr Howard felt he needed to send Mr Costello a message he would hardly have done it so publicly.
__________________
Go Peter, GO SON!
Howard and Costello showdown
By LINCOLN WRIGHT
01may05
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5003803,00.jpg
Battle for the Lodge: Peter Costello and John Howard.
PETER Costello was "amazed" by provocative comments John Howard made about staying on as Prime Minister, a source close to the federal Treasurer said last night.
And Costello insiders said the frustrated Treasurer might fight for the top job.
It also emerged last night Mr Howard and Mr Costello were likely to meet soon to try to avoid damaging friction.
The Treasurer, who had hoped to be Prime Minister by now, believed next week's Budget might be his last before a smooth transition to The Lodge.
Sources close to Mr Costello said the Treasurer viewed the Prime Minister's remarks as breaching an agreement on leadership transition set in place after October's Coalition election victory.
That agreement reportedly would see Mr Howard quit some time next year, after a decade in the top job, leaving the way open for Mr Costello.
But Mr Howard appeared to taunt his deputy with comments in the Greek capital of Athens on Friday before returning home from China, Japan and Gallipoli.
Mr Howard said that while Mr Costello was preparing his 10th Budget, he was doing his 16th -- if you included a stint as Malcolm Fraser's treasurer.
"I enjoy the job immensely -- I still have lots of energy for it. I still have plenty of ideas and there are a lot of things I want to do."
Mr Howard also said he had beaten Opposition Leader Kim Beazley at the polls -- in 1998 and 2001 -- and could do it again.
Mr Costello was told by Mr Howard of the remarks in a phone call on Friday night. Sources claimed Mr Howard had said his remarks had been misinterpreted.
Insiders said Mr Costello had been shocked and annoyed.
Commenting on speculation that he might transfer to Foreign Affairs, Mr Costello reportedly quipped: "I do want to swap portfolios, but not with the Minister for Foreign Affairs."
Yesterday, Mr Howard said: "The position in relation to my leadership has not changed from what I said at the last election.
"The interpretation (in Athens) is that I've adopted a new position. I haven't . . . I will stay as leader as long as my party wishes me to."
One source said if Mr Howard felt he needed to send Mr Costello a message he would hardly have done it so publicly.
__________________
Go Peter, GO SON!