Liberals smarting over Costello 'snub'

15 Mar 2012, 5:25 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Peter Costello was the best man for the job, Coalition members say. (AAP)

Peter Costello was the best man for the job, Coalition members say. (AAP)

Ex prime minister John Howard has joined Liberal party colleagues in attacking the goverment's choice of David Gonski over Peter Costello for the top job at the Future Fund.

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Former prime minister John Howard's joined senior Liberals in attacking the federal government's rejection of his colleague Peter Costello for the job as chair of the nation's sovereign wealth fund.

Labor appointed David Gonski to the Future Fund position, despite his advice that the board of guardians preferred Mr Costello, the former treasurer who set up the $90b vehicle to manage public servant pension liabilities.

Mr Howard told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday Mr Costello had been held back because he was a Liberal party member.

"He would have made an excellent chairman of the future fund," Mr Howard said.

"Clearly his political background would have worked against him, there is no doubt about that."

Mr Howard said he was not attacking Mr Gonski as an individual.

"He's got a lot of ability but I am certainly attacking the whole shambolic selection process," Mr Howard said.

"Everyone knew a year ago that David Murray was standing down and they managed to mess something as simple as that."

Mr Howard said Mr Costello was highly qualified.

"Peter Costello was the best treasurer that this country has ever had," he said.

But Prime Minister Julia Gillard maintains Mr Gonski is the best person for the job, given his significant track record as a chairman of major Australian companies, like the Australian Securities Exchange and fund manager Investec.
 

Future Fund , Peter Costello

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Your Comments

Clueless

TommyP - from Sydney, 1 year

@silvertongue - no wonder you support this dopes from the coalition. You know ad much about economics and governance as they do!

Future Fund

silvertongue - from oz, 1 year

As I see it according to Costello & history the Libs paid off B$75 Labour defecit and ended up with a surplus of B$60, he then set up the Future Fund. Now, this 'near do well' from Wales, with her put on 'Australia working class' voice talking through her nose dares to tell us, the public, that they have the correct man for the job? The Libs saved B$135 over 11 years, Labour has run up a defecit of B$80 in 5 years + any surplus the Libs left!. What Big Mouths this Lab Gov are. Smoke & Mirrors

Give it a rest!!!

TommyP - from Sydney, 1 year

It's not bad enough we have to put up with the current lot in opposition, but when they let an opportunity pass, out comes the cobweb Howard, with his own unjustified criticism whining and complaining. Guess what Howard. That spineless wimp might have been a good PM as well. But your self righteous attitude and greed, combined with his spinelessness, well, you know the story. So please spare us your right wing sop story. If anything, this Gov has appointed more opposition members in to key roles than any other previous Gov. They work on "right person for the job" principle. Do us a favour and just go away.

Self Intrest

Mark - from Moonta, 1 year

Once again in parliment Abbott showed his true colors he is a puppet of clive palmer and he does not care about small buisness. Gonski is the best man for the job with no political intrests.The sooner this right wing tea party member is gone the better.Bring back turnball . Lets share the wealth after all it does belong to all of us. SMALL BUISNESS OWNER.

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