Peter Costello Reflects on 2007 Election Outcome

Peter Costello, Australia's longest-serving treasurer, has stated he does not believe he could have led the Coalition to victory in the 2007 election, even if John Howard had resigned as prime minister. This admission was made during an interview with Sky News, marking the 30th anniversary of the Howard government's first term.

Costello's Assessment

Costello criticized John Howard's decision to remain in leadership until the end of his tenure. He noted that "leadership is also about knowing when to go as well as knowing when to stay. And that's why it ended badly as it did."

He urged Howard to step down as the government's poll numbers declined in 2007. However, Costello resisted calls to challenge for the Liberal Party leadership, firmly stating his belief:

"If I'd have challenged, we still would have lost in 2007, in my view."

John Howard's Perspective

When asked if he had stayed in leadership too long, John Howard offered a nuanced response, acknowledging public sentiment but remaining uncertain about alternative outcomes.

"Well, the public thought I had. Whether that was right or not, I don't know. Would anybody else have won? I don't know. Some people think an alternative would have. Others don't. I just don't know."

Views from Former Ministers

Former prime minister Tony Abbott, who initially opposed a leadership change at the time, reflected with hindsight: "It might have been better if John had decided to declare his innings closed."

However, Abbott also underscored a crucial point: "It is wrong to celebrate the success of the Howard government without being very, very appreciative of the role that Peter Costello had as the economic reformer, as the principal parliamentary champion, and as a fundamentally decent man whose good character enabled him to live with the frustration of being second fiddle to John for 11 years."

Former deputy prime minister John Anderson suggested resolving the perceived tensions by describing Howard and Costello as "a very, very effective team." He highlighted their shared "deep desire to strengthen the foundations of the nation and leave it a better place than they found it."

Ministers interviewed for a documentary on Howard's political life generally agree that nothing would have prevented defeat by the Labor Party, led by Kevin Rudd, in 2007. They also believe that the discussions about leadership tensions between Howard and Costello often overshadow the significant and interdependent contributions both men made to the government's success.