Costello political legacy

Comments on Paul Kelly “The great contender”, 17/06/2009, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25646978-7583,00.html

I am not a liberal fan by background, but I think Costello has really done a remarkable job as the most successful and longest serving Treasurer. His leadership as Treasurer enhanced the welfare of the nation enormously and gifted the Rudd government with an excellent fiscal position of fiscal surplus and net government assets to weather the global recession.

It was a pity that he failed to become the Prime Minster. He would have been a better PM, given his attitude in a number of important issues, like the apology, climate change and Kyoto, the Republic, and etc. He is a progressive liberal and not as too conservative in the liberal ranks.

Howard overstayed his Prime Ministership that did do good both to himself and Costello - an unhappy ending to both, as well as for the nation probably. That is a historical lesson for many politicians both current and to come. Hope Rudd is the first one to learn from that, although it is still early days of the Rudd government.