Michael Costello (Australian public servant)
Encyclopedia
Michael Costello AO
is a former Australian public servant and chief of staff to former Australian Labor Party
politician Kim Beazley
during his tenure as leader of the Opposition from 1996 to 2001.
In the years 1993–96, he was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
. In this role, he took a proactive position on Asia. He and five other departmental secretaries were summarily dismissed by the newly-elected Howard Government
in 1996 in what journalist Paul Kelly
would later describe as "the greatest blood-letting upon any change of government since Federation".
In 2004, he was highly critical of Mark Latham
for Labor's federal election defeat to the Howard Government that year http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1217194.htm
In 2008, he also wrote a weekly column for The Australian
supportive of Beazley and Labor's economic policies during the Hawke and Keating years.
He is currently the CEO of ACTEW Corporation
, the Australian Capital Territory
’s electricity and water authority.
On 26 June 2010 Costello had a final column published in The Australian concerning the federal ALP's dumping of Kevin Rudd
in favour of Julia Gillard
. Costello downplayed the role of the factions and unions, arguing that "The truth is that the power of the factions and the unions has been steadily declining." http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/unions-factions-dont-deserve-all-credit/story-e6frg6zo-1225884465587
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
is a former Australian public servant and chief of staff to former Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
politician Kim Beazley
Kim Beazley
In the October 1998 election, Labor polled a majority of the two-party vote and received the largest swing to a first-term opposition since 1934. However, due to the uneven nature of the swing, Labor came up eight seats short of making Beazley Prime Minister....
during his tenure as leader of the Opposition from 1996 to 2001.
In the years 1993–96, he was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
. In this role, he took a proactive position on Asia. He and five other departmental secretaries were summarily dismissed by the newly-elected Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
in 1996 in what journalist Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (journalist)
Paul John Kelly is an Australian political journalist and historian from Sydney. He has worked in a variety of roles, principally for The Australian newspaper, and is currently its Editor-at-large. He has written several books on political events since the 1970s including on the Australian...
would later describe as "the greatest blood-letting upon any change of government since Federation".
In 2004, he was highly critical of Mark Latham
Mark Latham
Mark William Latham , an author and former Australian politician, was leader of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from December 2003 to January 2005....
for Labor's federal election defeat to the Howard Government that year http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1217194.htm
In 2008, he also wrote a weekly column for The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
supportive of Beazley and Labor's economic policies during the Hawke and Keating years.
He is currently the CEO of ACTEW Corporation
ACTEW Corporation
ACTEW Corporation Limited is a government-owned company with assets and investments in water, wastewater, electricity, gas and telecommunications. ACTEW is wholly owned by the ACT Government...
, the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
’s electricity and water authority.
On 26 June 2010 Costello had a final column published in The Australian concerning the federal ALP's dumping of Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
in favour of Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard
Julia Eileen Gillard is the 27th and current Prime Minister of Australia, in office since June 2010.Gillard was born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and migrated with her family to Adelaide, Australia in 1966, attending Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School. In 1982 Gillard moved...
. Costello downplayed the role of the factions and unions, arguing that "The truth is that the power of the factions and the unions has been steadily declining." http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/unions-factions-dont-deserve-all-credit/story-e6frg6zo-1225884465587