Australian PM To Go For Fifth Term
Nidhi Sharma - All Headline News Staff Writer Sydney, Australia (AHN) - After consulting his Liberal Party colleagues, the Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced his decision to contest elections and announce he's vying for a fifth term in office. Howard, 67, made the decision despite consistent pressure from Treasurer Peter Costello, his deputy for over a decade, to step aside. Costello, 47 has however ruled out a challenge to the PM, saying he would remain in his position. Howard, who has been in office for the last 10 years, is Australia's second-longest serving prime minister following Robert Menzies, who held office for over 18 years. A poll conducted by Sky TV on Monday after his announcement showed 82% of those asked thought he had made the right decision to stay on as prime minister. In his letter to lawmakers, Howard said he was committed to leading the party in the next election. The BBC quotes Howard as saying, "My soundings tell me that the strong view of the party is that the current leadership team, with me as leader and Peter Costello as deputy leader, should remain in place through to the next election." Howard and Costello have dominated Australian politics, and the Liberal Party, for the past decade. The elections are due to take place in late 2007.
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