Fed: Howard could topple Menzies' record: Turnbull

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2006
Fed: Howard could topple Menzies' record: Turnbull

CANBERRA, July 31 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard could equal Robert Menzies' record
16 consecutive years in the nation's top job, says high-profile Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Howard today ended weeks of speculation by announcing he would seek a fifth term
in office at the 2007 election, dashing the leadership hopes of his treasurer, Peter Costello.

Mr Turnbull tonight said it was possible Mr Howard could match the longevity of his
political hero, Sir Robert, who led the nation from 1939 to 1941 before his record stint
of just over 16 years between 1949 and 1966.

"It's not inconceivable," Mr Turnbull told ABC television. "It's a matter for him and
the party room ... and that will be a function of his performance.

"You have to hand it to the prime minister - he is as energetic intellectually and
physically today as he was when he became prime minister in 1996."

Mr Turnbull said he was glad Mr Howard had chosen to stay on and fight the 2007 poll
with Mr Costello as his deputy.

"They've been a phenomenally successful team as prime minister and treasurer for 10
years, delivering Australia great prosperity," he said. "That's a winning team and the
party and the community hope that they would be able to continue to work together."

Mr Turnbull deflected questions about his own leadership ambitions.

"I live in the here and now, I'm not a long-term plotter and schemer," he said. "I've
found over the years -- and I'm no spring chicken -- that if you do the job at hand well,
the future looks after itself."

AAP dcr/wjf/rs

KEYWORD: LEADERSHIP TURNBULL

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