Well, that's a shocker!

Peter Costello isn't standing for the Liberal leadership. We've been speculating whether he jumped or was pushed, but from the sound of this, he's taken his bat and ball and gone home.

From SMH:

Costello is the Coalition's most talented politician, but a strong whiff of pique ran through his remarks today.

He reminded journalists that he had sought generational change in the Liberal Party last year, and been rebuffed.

So now he's rebuffing the party, stunningly - it's as simple as that.

The alternatives are a little strange and scary.

Would going with Turnbull change anything? Surely he represents what was rejected? They couldn't seriously think Downer. Abbott's not being mentioned in the media as a contender. Brendan Nelson is the other being mentioned.

We won't be surprised to see a by-election here, I can't see Ruddock staying on for too much longer. Would be nice to get even a Liberal who is actually does something as a local member.

Getting things through the senate may depend on whether Barnaby Joyce continues to be a loose cannon. Family First had been pretty outspoken against workchoices, so there may be a vote there. The 58 changes to the gay legal discrimination may depend on some of the small l Liberal senators. There was support within the Libs for the changes.

It won't happen, but what I would love to see is:
Shadow Minister for Immigration - Petro Georgiou ;)

Well, that's a shocker!

Peter Costello isn't standing for the Liberal leadership. We've been speculating whether he jumped or was pushed, but from the sound of this, he's taken his bat and ball and gone home.

From SMH:

Costello is the Coalition's most talented politician, but a strong whiff of pique ran through his remarks today.

He reminded journalists that he had sought generational change in the Liberal Party last year, and been rebuffed.

So now he's rebuffing the party, stunningly - it's as simple as that.

The alternatives are a little strange and scary.

Would going with Turnbull change anything? Surely he represents what was rejected? They couldn't seriously think Downer. Abbott's not being mentioned in the media as a contender. Brendan Nelson is the other being mentioned.

We won't be surprised to see a by-election here, I can't see Ruddock staying on for too much longer. Would be nice to get even a Liberal who is actually does something as a local member.

Getting things through the senate may depend on whether Barnaby Joyce continues to be a loose cannon. Family First had been pretty outspoken against workchoices, so there may be a vote there. The 58 changes to the gay legal discrimination may depend on some of the small l Liberal senators. There was support within the Libs for the changes.

It won't happen, but what I would love to see is:
Shadow Minister for Immigration - Petro Georgiou ;)