WEB EXCLUSIVE: As Good As It Gets

Australia's Treasurer Peter Costello has had few better moments in his political career. Yet tonight he did not seem likely to either punch the air or appear too pleased with himself. Months of huddling with officials in preparing his 11th Budget had given Costello a pallid face. He looked in need of a decent night's sleep. His head was full of new tax scales, growth projections and spending measures. But ignore the facial puffiness and creases, for his lively eyes told the real story. Here was a happy fellow. The tax-cut man cometh.

The federal Government is swimming...