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A Reward for Loyalty

Wednesday, 24th May, 2006

Tony O'Leary has been the consummate press secretary throughout John Howard's term as Prime Minister. He has steered his boss through a decade of inquisitions by the fourth estate and rarely made a mistake.

And rarely got his name in print either. He has avoided the limelight like a good press secretary should but rarely does. Tony O'Leary deserves to be called “professional”.

This week his boss has given him a reward for all those years of loyal service – a visit to Ireland . Having read all the reports of the prime ministerial visit to Dublin I can see no other reason for John Howard being there.

For me it is the best evidence to date that we will have a new Liberal Leader by Christmas.