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Costello stays tight-lipped at tribute dinner

Posted August 30, 2008 01:00:00
Updated August 30, 2008 06:17:00

Peter Costello pledged his support behind Liberal leader Brendan Nelson.

Peter Costello pledged his support behind Liberal leader Brendan Nelson. (AFP: Torsten Blackwood)

Former federal treasurer Peter Costello took centre stage at a Liberal Party dinner in Melbourne last night, but gave no real hint on his future in politics.

Mr Costello said the tribute dinner held in his honour last night was neither a "farewell" nor a "resurrection" and continued to avoid the burning question over his political future.

"I intend to keep on serving the people of Higgins and if that intention changes, I'll let you know," he said.

Mr Costello also pledged his full support for Coalition leader Brendan Nelson.

Mr Costello did however have thinly disguised dig at the former Prime Minister John Howard, telling guests the Liberal Party lost the last election because it did not renew.

Quite a number of Liberals will be hoping his intention is to stay but the former treasurer appears unlikely to share his plans until his memoirs are launched in just over a fortnight.

It is an occasion many hope he will use to put and end to all the speculation.

Tags: government-and-politics, federal-government, political-parties, liberal-party, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

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