Monday, 27th February, 2006

A third party endorsement always comes in handy for a politician so it can be assumed that Treasurer Peter Costello has a pretty good idea what his select panel of experts will come up with in their report comparing the Australian tax system with that of other OECD countries. It will be whatever it is that The Treasurer wants to put in his May budget. Mr Costello has not been in the job alongside Prime Minister John Howard for a decade to lose control of the key element of economic policy.

Just as Mr Howard is obviously relishing the limelight thrown on his achieving 10 years in office, so too is Mr Costello. And he continues to broaden his public appeal with sensible statements about immigration and multi-cultural Australia. To my eyes he is looking more and more like a man who might actually make a good Prime Minister.