Costello's latest bouts of self-harm.

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If the Coalition loses the next federal election, every government in Australia will be a Labor government, not a cheering prospect if one believes that a country's political life is healthier for the odd check and balance. John Howard has shown he is adept at working within a variety of checks and balances while still, for the most part, getting his own way; and when he can't get his way he at least behaves in a dignified and stoical manner, for example whenever two or three Coalition members make it clear they are prepared to cross the floor of the Senate on some measure of which they disapprove, such as the recent asylum-seeker legislation. Mr Howard has a generally good working relationship with the Labor state premiers, and his diplomatic skills in this regard are self-evident.

On the other hand Mr Costello, who has generally done a good job as Treasurer (though see John Stone's analysis of the latest...