SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard angrily rejected suggestions Thursday that members of his party hired investigators to dig into opposition leader Kevin Rudd's confidential medical records.
In a furious series of exchanges on what was expected to be the last day of parliament before an election, Rudd counter-attacked by accusing the government of running a "dirt unit" which kept files on top opposition figures.
Rudd, who has a strong lead in the polls, has accused the government of conducting a smear campaign against him ahead of an election expected by Christmas.
On Wednesday Rudd confirmed that he had an aortic valve transplant 14 years ago after suffering rheumatic fever as a child, following press reports which have prompted questions about how the information was obtained.
During prime minister's questions in parliament, Howard said: "I certainly had nothing to do with it. I was not aware of these things.
"I am not aware of where it came from. I am not aware of any suggestion that it came from any member of my party. I am not aware of any suggestion that it came from any member of my government.
"I regard the question as contemptible. There has been no engagement of private investigators."
Howard accused the opposition of seeking to smear his government with false allegations.
He accused Rudd of seeking revenge for a "bad day at the office" on Wednesday, a reference to a bungled statement by Rudd on tax rates, in which he publicly got the level of Australia's top tax rate wrong.
"Everybody knows that a question is not asked in this house without the authority of the leader and I regard this question as Kevin Rudd's question," Howard said, as Rudd looked on impassively.
"This question was authored by the leader of the opposition."
There has been a string of bad news recently for the Labor party leader, including a report of a visit to a New York strip club in 2003 and allegations concerning a company run by his wife.
Doctors have said the aortic valve transplant was not a major cause for concern and that Rudd was generally in good health.
He said Health Minister Tony Abbott had admitted in an interview that there was a "government dirt unit" designed to find ammunition against the opposition, a claim Abbott denied.
Rudd also hit out at Treasurer Peter Costello, Howard's designated successor as prime minister should the government win re-election, for publicly defending Howard while scheming in private to oust him.
He called Costello "the would-be prime minister without any intestinal fortitude whatsoever."
Recent polls have suggested an opposition whitewash, with the possibility Howard -- who is running for a fifth term -- could lose his own seat.
Rudd, who has a strong lead in the polls, has accused the government of conducting a smear campaign against him ahead of an election expected by Christmas.
On Wednesday Rudd confirmed that he had an aortic valve transplant 14 years ago after suffering rheumatic fever as a child, following press reports which have prompted questions about how the information was obtained.
During prime minister's questions in parliament, Howard said: "I certainly had nothing to do with it. I was not aware of these things.
"I am not aware of where it came from. I am not aware of any suggestion that it came from any member of my party. I am not aware of any suggestion that it came from any member of my government.
"I regard the question as contemptible. There has been no engagement of private investigators."
Howard accused the opposition of seeking to smear his government with false allegations.
He accused Rudd of seeking revenge for a "bad day at the office" on Wednesday, a reference to a bungled statement by Rudd on tax rates, in which he publicly got the level of Australia's top tax rate wrong.
"Everybody knows that a question is not asked in this house without the authority of the leader and I regard this question as Kevin Rudd's question," Howard said, as Rudd looked on impassively.
"This question was authored by the leader of the opposition."
There has been a string of bad news recently for the Labor party leader, including a report of a visit to a New York strip club in 2003 and allegations concerning a company run by his wife.
Doctors have said the aortic valve transplant was not a major cause for concern and that Rudd was generally in good health.
He said Health Minister Tony Abbott had admitted in an interview that there was a "government dirt unit" designed to find ammunition against the opposition, a claim Abbott denied.
Rudd also hit out at Treasurer Peter Costello, Howard's designated successor as prime minister should the government win re-election, for publicly defending Howard while scheming in private to oust him.
He called Costello "the would-be prime minister without any intestinal fortitude whatsoever."
Recent polls have suggested an opposition whitewash, with the possibility Howard -- who is running for a fifth term -- could lose his own seat.
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