FED: Costello favours free Melbourne home for PM

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-1999
FED: Costello favours free Melbourne home for PM

By Steve Connolly

CANBERRA, April 14 AAP - Wanted. Free home in Melbourne for Australian Prime Minister.

Treasurer and prime ministerial aspirant Peter Costello canvassed such a possibility today
as he joined Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett in calling for a PM's residence in his home city.

Although he said The Lodge in Canberra would always be the PM's residence, Mr Costello was
favourable to the proposal of a Melbourne home as long as there was no expense for taxpayers.

"I think there's something in it," the treasurer told radio 3AW.

"I don't think the government's going to put any money towards it.

"But suppose somebody came along and said I have this residence I will donate it to you, it
will be available for a prime minister to stay in Melbourne, I think it would be a good thing
for Melbourne actually, because you'd get the prime minister in Melbourne more often.

"And Melbourne's a great place to live."

Mr Costello denied that a PM's residence in Melbourne had been completely ruled out by
Prime Minister John Howard because there were already homes in Canberra and Sydney.

"Well, I think what he said was that we wouldn't be spending any money on it, and nor will
we be," he said.

"But I think for the long term point of view, of Victoria having a residence would be a
good thing and if it didn't cost any money, it it was given by gift or something, you'd
probably look at it then."

Mr Howard last night ruled out providing money for further prime ministerial residences
following comments by Mr Kennett that he believed the federal government was giving serious
consideration to an East Melbourne property to become the third prime ministerial home.

"I can say to the Australian people I've got far more important priorities with their money
than to buy further houses for the prime minister," Mr Howard said.

Mr Kennett, who has described The Lodge as small, dingy and an absolute disgrace, said on
the weekend that the residence had outlived its usefulness.

It was time to consider establishing a Melbourne residence to change the government's
Sydney-centric attitude and because the next PM could come from Victoria, he said.

AAP sc/maur

KEYWORD: LODGE (CARRIED EARLIER)

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