Costello row with Kroger

Michael Kroger Slams Peter Costello Over Nasty Rants:
 Costello Hits Back!

VICTORIAN Liberal Power broker Michael Kroger, has told media outlets his friend and political ally of 35 years Peter Costello, their friendship hangs in the balance, due to Costello's continuing rants over his party colleagues. 

In a blatant and staged attack on Costello, Kroger reveals his most private conversations with Costello. In an interview on ABC radio Melbourne, Michael Kroger says Peter Costello needs to make amends with all the former Liberal leaders he has maligned. Mr Costello has dismissed the story as a lie, calling his old friend "irrelevant".

This now public and bitter feud, has former high profile liberal leaders and front benchers in a media frenzy. The debate has taken to rumours of Costello asking Kroger for a support of a political comeback. Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, told Melbourne radio 3AW that he finds it hard to believe that Costello would mount a comeback, as he has never mentioned in any discussions that he would challenge, and that he can't as there is no opening for such a position.

Former Senator Nick Minchin, told ABC NEWS 24 Latika Bourke, his disappointment of Michael Kroger's report and timing of his report. Minchin says he denies Kroger's allegation of Costello's leadership rants. "The inner workings of the Victorian liberal party have been a mystery to me for the 30 years I've been a member of the Victorian liberal party", says Minchin. When asked if Kroger is making Costello claims up, Minchin replies that he doesn't know what the motives are for this bitter feud, but can only hope that this can be kept private and not battled in the public arena.