Fed: Costello refuses to rule out leadership challenge

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
Fed: Costello refuses to rule out leadership challenge

Treasurer PETER COSTELLO'S refused to rule out challenging Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD
for the Liberal Party leadership at any time in the next three years.

Labor's vowed to make the Liberal leadership a key election issue, given Mr HOWARD's
refused to commit to serving a full fourth term as prime minister if the coalition wins
the October 9 poll.

Answering questions on Sydney radio 2UE about whether he would rule out challenging
Mr HOWARD for prime minister, Mr COSTELLO said his record spoke for itself.

But he also told Melbourne radio 3AW he expected to remain as treasurer after next
month's election.

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM says the Liberal Party owes it to voters to come clean
about any succession plan.

He expects Mr HOWARD will hand over to Mr COSTELLO within 12 to 18 months.

AAP RTV kmh/bt/sw/drp

KEYWORD: POLL04 COSTELLO (CANBERRA)

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