Fed: Costello set to tell all of life under Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2008
Fed: Costello set to tell all of life under Howard

CANBERRA, April 22 AAP - Former treasurer Peter Costello is set to tell all.

Melbourne University Publishing (MUP) today said it would publish Mr Costello's memoirs
of his 18-year political career.

In that time he became Australia's longest-serving treasurer, and worked with Liberal
leaders John Howard, Alexander Downer, John Hewson and Andrew Peacock.

MUP chief executive Louise Adler said it was an important book about a remarkable career
in Australian politics.

"I believe this will be the most anticipated political memoir of the year. Mr Costello
has an extraordinary story to tell about life on the national and international political
stage," she said in a statement.

Mr Costello, who served as deputy leader of the Liberal Party for more than a decade,
was heir designate to Mr Howard, who persistently deferred standing aside.

Since the coalition's disastrous election defeat last year Mr Costello has been languishing
on the coalition backbench, although polling out today indicates voters would prefer him
as coalition leader over Brendan Nelson.

MUP, which also published the Mark Latham diaries, said Mr Costello would reflect on
more than 30 years of service to the Liberal cause.

"In his memoirs Mr Costello will offer insight into his successful partnership with
John Howard that included four election victories and the longest period of economic prosperity
in Australian history," MUP said.

"He will reveal how and why, despite a booming economy, the Liberals suffered a devastating
defeat in 2007."

The memoirs will be written in collaboration with Mr Costello's father-in-law Peter
Coleman, a former federal and NSW MP and editor of The Bulletin and Quadrant, MUP said.

No publication date has yet been announced.

AAP mb/ldj/nf

KEYWORD: COSTELLO

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