I said in another thread today that Costello lacked courage... Hewson agrees... Former federal opposition leader John Hewson says he doubts Peter Costello has the courage to make a bid to lead the Coalition.
Mr Costello is considering his future after moving to the backbench after last year's election.
Current Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson is under increasing pressure over his handling of the Coalition's climate change policy, with Mr Costello and Malcolm Turnbull increasingly seen as possible successors at the top of the Liberal Party.
Dr Hewson has told Sky News that the former Treasurer has baulked at the leadership in the past.
"When I look back at Peter's career he's never had the balls to challenge, or make a move, or actually move to get the job, in circumstances where he could have got it."
"I'm not saying he can't come back but the polls still say he's largely unelectable," he added.
"He's got a long way to go and there are a number of people in the party that have ambition.
"People like Andrew Robb, who is sitting quietly in the wings, Julie Bishop, even Tony Abbott.
"There are plenty who will have a go at the right time, so I don't think it's going to be an easy passage for Peter whenever, and I'm not sure that he'll ever be drafted.
"In that sense he's going to have to move - something he hasn't characteristically done in his entire career."
Dr Hewson's comments follow reports that Mr Costello turned down a $2 million job in London, renewing speculation that he is holding out for a return to the Coalition frontbench.
Dr Hewson said he believed Mr Costello would remain in Parliament for a while longer.
"I think Peter's strategy has been that if he got someting he really wanted to do he'd leave Parliament for that, but otherwise he'll sit on the backbench hoping one day he can make a comeback.
"I don't think it'll be today, as some of the newspapers are speculating," he added.
Dr Hewson said Mr Costello's best chance to lead the Liberal Party had come in 1994.
Earlier Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce said he believed Dr Nelson was doomed as Opposition Leader if his poll figures do not improve.
"I don't think you'll have to worry about pushing Brendan," he said.
"Brendan will understand ... the reality of the situation if it obviously doesn't improve ... and that's a no-brainer.
"If the situation doesn't improve, if the numbers don't improve before the election ... I imagine Brendan would ... decide that he'd probably have to move on."
