more turmoil for brendan

Downer may return to front bench
Question is the article correct.
Glenn Milne

May 25, 2008 12:00am


FORMER Foreign Minister Alexander Downer could soon return to the Liberal Party's front bench, it was revealed last night.

Mr Downer has told party colleagues he is considering staying in politics with a view to becoming shadow treasurer under either Opposition Leader Dr Brendan Nelson or Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Downer will decide by the end of June whether to stay in politics or go into business.

Mr Downer's rethink follows a clash with former factional ally Nick Minchin last week, with Senator Minchin suggesting Mr Downer was on the way out of politics.

Mr Downer left Senator Minchin in no doubt he had not decided on his future - and that he would be the one to announce any change.

The Federal Liberal Party's woes continued last night when it was revealed environment spokesman Greg Hunt followed shadow treasurer Malcolm Turnbull with his own letter rejecting the plan by Dr Nelson to cut fuel excise by five cents a litre.

News that Mr Downer is considering a return to the Coalition frontbench will put increased pressure on Dr Nelson to consider a shadow ministerial reshuffle - just as Malcolm Turnbull is pressing his credentials for the top job.

Sources say Mr Downer's "exchange" with Senator Minchin is confirmation he still has political ambition.

While Mr Downer's return to the frontbench would initially buttress Dr Nelson's leadership, Mr Turnbull's supporters say Mr Downer voted for their candidate at last year's leadership ballot.

Meanwhile, Mr Downer has been dragged into the latest controversy over internal Liberal opposition to Dr Nelson's plan for a five-cent-a-litre cut to petrol excise.

Mr Downer's involvement in drafting a letter to Dr Nelson from Mr Hunt will add weight to the proposition that Dr Nelson's plan for a petrol excise cut is irresponsible, because it will reduce the Budget surplus and add to inflationary pressure.

Mr Hunt wrote to his leader ahead of Dr Nelson's formal Budget-in-Reply speech to offer an alternate proposal.

Mr Hunt consulted Mr Downer before putting his ideas to Dr Nelson.

Mr Downer also rejected the Nelson plan, but did not put his name to the Hunt letter.