SYDNEY — Christmas is the best time of year for Australian governments to announce bad news. So when Canberra says this country will spend big to help stop world pollution, holidaying citizens are less than stunned.

After all, Australians are too busy ignoring the global recession by spending their record savings on Christmas shopping to care. Besides, the holidays are upon us, the summer sun is hot, and everyone wants to surf the South Pacific.

With most Australians enjoying a long holiday season, the Rudd government has quietly got its shocks out into the public arena and can feel pleased that the reaction is muted, as planned.