Costello must challenge or retire ... and soon!

• Costello ahead of Turnbull in latest Newspoll - ABC News
  

  
  
  • In the Newspoll in today's Australian newspaper, 45 per cent of those polled believe Mr Costello would be best to lead the Liberals, compared to Mr Turnbull's 38 per cent.

  • Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has dropped three points in the better Prime Minister stakes, but at 61 per cent still holds a commanding lead over Mr Turnbull, who gained one point to 21 per cent.

    Mr Costello gave a series of interviews last week that reignited calls for him to serve on the Opposition's frontbench.

    On Sunday, Mr Turnbull said it was time to move on from the constant speculation about the political future of the former treasurer.

    Mr Costello has previously denied any intention of returning to the frontbench.

    His presence on the Coalition backbench has been a source of instability for the Liberal Party, but he has said he is taking his time deciding his intentions for the future.

    
    • If the future of the Liberals is with Peter Costello as leader, I fear they may be doomed to opposition for many years. The persistent smirk on Mr Costello's face comes across to me as an arrogance that he really believes that he is the saviour' and that he is more important than the party or its policies.
    •  I believe the man is a political vacuum - all he can claim is a hands on management of the economy. He has never brought forward a new policy or expressed 'a dream' for our future.
    • His 'layback and destabilise' position is an abuse of power that is not appreciated by the electorate - post by gnaylor