Fed: Costello switch would have been good for Labor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2007
Fed: Costello switch would have been good for Labor

Labor's campaign director says if the Liberals had made a late leadership change to
PETER COSTELLO .. they'd probably have delivered an even bigger federal election win to
KEVIN RUDD.

Giving the traditional post-campaign wrap-up at the National Press Club .. TIM GARTRELL
said Labor's November 24 win has exploded the argument that oppositions don't win elections
.. governments lose them.

And he says while Labor had contingency plans in case the Liberals switched leaders
.. in the end Mr COSTELLO was even less popular than JOHN HOWARD.







Mr GARTRELL says the government didn't understand that people are doing it tough ..

particularly in outer-metropolitan and regional areas.

He says there was a wave which swept up every demographic in Australia .. leading to
the five per cent swing to Labor.

Liberal Party campaign director BRIAN LOUGHNANE will give his address on December 19.

AAP RTV mfh/sb/tm/wf

KEYWORD: LABOR GARTRELL (CANBERRA)

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