SYDNEY — Now that Australia's politicians have scattered across the world — they are diligent in flying off on global research projects during long recesses — exasperated voters are enjoying relief from the mudslinging that marked the most frenetic-ever final week of a winter sitting in the Federal Parliament.
Observers agree that the week muddied the shining reputation of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and dashed opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull's hopes of becoming prime minister.
The angry parliamentary exchanges may yet seriously disable the shining career of Treasurer Wayne Swan. As a close friend and ally of the prime minister, Swan has yet to clear himself — and, by implication, Rudd — of opposition claims that he misled Parliament about a pre-election gift of a Mazda truck to Rudd from a secondhand auto dealer.