Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I think this debate from the other side has been absolutely enlightening. I would like to talk about the budget, but before that: all we used to hear in here from 24 November 2007 onward was how great Peter Costello was—‘the great Peter Costello,’ and, ‘Thank you, Mr Costello’. Isn’t it absolutely amazing that since the sabres were brought out late last year and the Liberal leadership was executed and replaced with Mr Abbott we do not hear about Mr Costello any more.

Why do we not hear about Mr Costello? I would be very interested to get Senator Fifield’s feel on this one, because I think they were pretty good mates and good supporters of each other. But, quite clearly, no mention of Peter Costello: why? Let us think what Peter Costello said about Mr Abbott when he gained the leadership of the Liberal Party—