Peter Costello broke his self-imposed silence in parliament today to call Wayne Swan a moron as Treasurer extolled the today's national account figures.

The former Treasurer, now a backbencher, interjected with a blunt "Dope!"

"You're a moron," Mr Costello continued.

Kevin Rudd and Mr Swan could barely conceal their joy at today's GDP figures, which showed the economy growing and averting a recession in the technical sense.

The heated exchange, which came as the parties jostled over who had the best record as economic managers, was a throwback to another era when Mr Costello fired up regularly in question time.

But Mr Costello's insults did not go unchallenged.

"Nominate!" came the cry from the government backbenches, a reference to the forthcoming Liberal pre-selections in Victoria that will let us finally know if Mr Costello plans to stay in parliament.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25582112-601,00.html