Government News Index
PM shrugs off leadership threat
The Associated Press
22mar02
AFTER six years in the top job, Prime Minister John Howard has declared himself unconcerned about challengers.
Speculation has grown about a possible bid after Mr Howard became embroiled in the children overboard affair, the Governor-General controversy and more recently the Heffernan situation.
But today the PM seemed unconcerned that Treasurer Peter Costello could be waiting in the wings.
Mr Howard said people were free to speculate about the leadership and he wasn't worried.
"I have been prime minister for six years," he told Channel Nine.
"I am the second longest serving leader of the Liberal Party.
"I don't believe I will face any leadership challenge.
"Quite frankly if people want to speculate about that they can go ahead and do so.
"It really doesn't concern me in the slightest."