[b e s ty - // u p d a t e s]

Hey all!

Well, what a day, and what a day it still is, for the media in Australia.

As we all woke up this morning, news came through that the two trapped miners in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, had been freed. And as promised, after 14 days being stuck in a cage that had saved their lives, both Todd and Brant walked out of the mine, without the aid of, well, anything. And after a brief stay at hospital, th two astounded doctors, having been in great health, and being discharged a few hours after being admitted to hospital.

Yet the day was also a somber one. The third miner who was trapped in the Beaconsfield mine was found 2 days after the mine had collapsed, dead. His funeral was held today, and even Todd plucked up enough strength to attend the funeral of his mate.

As the news still rolls in about this miracle, now known in the media as "The Great Escape," the Federal Budget, the 11th for Mr Costello, is being handed down tonight.

What is to be expected? Well, according to the media reports, middle income families are to gain from the budget,and tax cuts (however small) are promised.

And is there any word on the Federal aid budget, even after AusAIDs White Paper on aid? No. Only a few hours will tell if the Budget will liveup to the governments promises on aid.

Besty