FED: Brandis defends Costello's leadership comments

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2008
FED: Brandis defends Costello's leadership comments

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - A senior Liberal has defended the way Peter Costello publicly
ruled out challenging Brendan Nelson for the coalition leadership.

"He (Mr Costello) was asked a question (and) having been asked a question he gave a
direct answer to it," Liberal Senator George Brandis told ABC Television last night.

"How could he do better than that?"

Senator Brandis' comments followed Mr Costello's cryptic appearance at the opening
of new Victorian senator Helen Kroger's electorate office yesterday when, after being
asked whether he intended to challenge for the leadership, he said: "Well I am not. Everybody
knows that."

But he gave no clarification about whether he might enter the fray if ambitious treasury
spokesman Malcolm Turnbull put his hand up for the leadership or if he could be drafted
if Dr Nelson stepped aside.

Senator Brandis, a Costello supporter, said he had no idea whether Mr Costello had
changed his mind and decided not to retire, as he said he would following last year's
federal election.

"He's said nothing on the public record (since then) ... and I'm not aware of anything
he's said privately which would cause one to doubt the finality of the decision he announced."

Speculation about Mr Costello's future remains intense ahead of the release of his
memoirs next month, when he is expected to make clear whether he will stay or leave politics.

AAP jcd/srp

KEYWORD: LIBERALS BRANDIS

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