Fed: Howard to stay but won't commit to serving full term

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2006
Fed: Howard to stay but won't commit to serving full term

CANBERRA, Aug 1 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard has vowed to stay on and fight the
next election, but won't say if he will serve a full term if he is returned to office.

Mr Howard yesterday ended weeks of speculation by announcing he would seek a fifth
term as prime minister next year, dashing the leadership ambitions of his treasurer, Peter
Costello.

Three weeks after Mr Costello demanded Mr Howard retire by Christmas, the prime minister
faxed Liberal Party MPs telling them he intended to stay on as leader.

Mr Howard was pressed for further detail on his plans yesterday as he toured parts
of north Queensland recovering from Cyclone Larry, which devastated the region in March.

But he refused to commit to serving a full term if the government is re-elected next
year, leaving a glimmer of hope for Mr Costello that he may have a shot at the top job
in two to three years.

"Let us get to the election," Mr Howard said.

"I'm not giving any undertakings beyond what I have previously said and that is that
I'll continue to serve as leader of the Liberal Party for so long as my party wants me
to and it's in the party's best interests that I do so."

Mr Costello says he will remain on the frontbench, as most coalition MPs want him to
stay on as treasurer and deputy Liberal leader.

But Mr Howard's extended stay as leader gives Mr Costello's potential rivals for the
prime ministership - such as Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott - extra
time to consolidate support.

Labor leader Kim Beazley says he's glad Mr Howard will face the voters one more time,
as he should be held accountable for his industrial relations policies and interest rate
rises.

AAP dcr/cjh/de

KEYWORD: LEADERSHIP DAYLEAD

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