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real public service .....

Peter Costello says he ''would not seek nor accept'' a nomination to be the new opposition leader and instead would step away from politics for a business career. 

Australia's longest serving treasurer, who had long dreamed of being prime minister, made the shock announcement in Melbourne today, saying he would stay on in parliament for now and then move on. 

Mr Costello looked strained as he and his wife, Tayna, walked into a press conference at Treasury Place. 

Costello Won't Stand

and, as Alan Ramsey observes in today's SMH ....

..... while Costello sits on the backbench for three years, honouring his commitment to his voters in his Melbourne seat, what should happen is those other political misfits like Alexander Downer, Philip Ruddock and Tony Abbott should think about another life outside politics. None are part of the Liberals' future.

For God's sake, go and make our Christmas complete.

a lot of dirty water under the liberal bridges since...

Alan Ramsey was ‘‘a particularly powerful force in journalism’’, said former prime minister Paul Keating, himself one of the longtime Herald columnist’s favourite subjects and sparring partners.

Ramsey’s Saturday column on politics was a ‘‘must read’’, Mr Keating said, and Ramsey was ‘‘always his own person ... his effective and attractive manner of writing was a joy to readers’’.

‘‘The chance of the national press gallery seeing or developing someone so individualistic and rent by such standards of public probity and breadth of interest is low,’’ Mr Keating said.

‘‘But Alan Ramsey will always serve as a model for those currently in the system or who may arrive with clear notions of what is right and good.’’

Ramsey, who died yesterday aged 82, held a unique position for many middle-aged and older Herald readers, many of whom bought the Saturday paper just to read his acerbic and occasionally vitriolic commentary.

Many politicians loathed him and disparaged him, but many more feared him. Among colleagues, he was known for his fearsome temper.

Judy Prisk, the Herald’s former chief sub-editor of features, used to take Ramsey’s copy on Friday nights – always late, but always word-perfect.

‘‘He was a nightmare to deal with, but I absolutely adored him,’’ Mrs Prisk said.

‘‘If he tried to file on time he would go only two hours late, instead of three. But he was just brilliant.’’

 

 

Read more:

 

SMH 25/11/2020

 

Vale Alan... you were the best...!!! (read from top)