Walking On Water

Monday 8 December, 8.30pm ABC1

Walking On Water

"The world had changed but John Howard had not changed with it"...Judith Troeth.
"Arrogrance, hubris, I mean call it what you like. Ultimately it cost us dearly."...Andrew Robb.
"There was only one person who was holding him back from retiring and it was him."...Peter Costello.
"All things come to an end, even the best things come to an end" ...Tony Abbott.

John Howard's Prime Ministership ended with defeat at the 2007 election. But why was it so, and could the result have been different with a change of leadership? Walking On Water reveals how the tensions between John Howard and Peter Costello dramatically escalated. Ministers speak of a cabinet meeting involving the pair, which was like "watching your parents fighting".

Speaking candidly, John Howard reveals his intentions after the 2004 election, and why he never stood down from the leadership.

Covers fourth term from 2004 -2007.
Key themes: Leadership dominates as questions arise about how long Howard will stay; the Government tries to win an historic fifth term; Work Choices; climate change; the Northern Territory Intervention and fighting an election against new ALP leader, Kevin Rudd.
Interviewees: John Howard; Peter Costello; former advisers to Peter Costello - Niki Savva and David Gazard; Liberal Party pollster Mark Textor; Arthur Sinodinos; Alexander Downer; Mal Brough; former head of Indigenous Intervention - Sue Gordon; Barnaby Joyce; former Minister for Environment - Ian Campbell; George W Bush; Mark Vaile; Joe Hockey.