http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/o ... 6139257756Euromoney, the world's leading magazine for banking and finance, will present the prestigious Finance Minister of the Year Award.
Each year the award honours the finance minister, treasurer or central bank governor whose key decisions "have directly benefited both the performance and perception of their country's economic and financial achievements".
The choice is made after soundings are taken from leading global bankers and investors.
And the winner this year? Well, we won't know for sure until next week, but the smart money is on Wayne Swan.
Paul Keating was dubbed "the world's greatest treasurer" when he took it out in 1984 in recognition of such reforms as floating the dollar and allowing competition from foreign banks.
Peter Costello was deeply aggrieved that he was never accorded the same recognition. You can bet he will be even more miffed if the honour goes to Swan this year. But it will be clear evidence of how the Australian government's economic management is admired overseas.
Peter Costello was an innumerate economics illiterate! Did he really think he would get that prize?