I think he had demonstrated that with his behavior before and since the election. He is very happy to damage his own party waiting for HIS time to come rather then just get on with it. i.e doesn't have the balls!
IMHO the Libs lost their way when people like Costello, B.Joyce and a few others spent more time backstabbing Howard then coming up with new policy. The media smelt blood (or extra advertising sales) and started and stayed on that angle.
As they say, disunity is death in politics and people like those two and their circles have the blood on their hands.
But as also has been said....it may have been a good election to lose!!