Sydney - The Australian parliament censured opposition Liberal Party leader Malcolm Turnbull for bashing the Labor government over what turned out to be a fake email purporting to show abuse of office by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan.

But Monday's vote, which went along party lines, carries no weight in the Canberra parliament.

Rudd had been accused of abusing his office to help a used-car salesman and of shielding Swan from parliamentary scrutiny over his dealings with Brisbane car dealer John Grant.

Before police were called in and the email was declared bogus, Turnbull had held it up as being evidence that special treatment had been accorded Grant, Rudd's friend, neighbour and benefactor.

Turnbull also alleged that Swan, who had bought a car off Grant, tried to help him get government finance for his car dealership.

Rudd renewed his demand that Turnbull resign to atone for what he says has been a smear campaign. In a tit-for-tat demand, the opposition urged Swan to resign over claims he had misled parliament.

Swan, who maintained he had not been part of an effort to secure financing for Grant, received emails about the effort on his home fax machine.

Australians will have to wait until the next set of opinion polls to see what effect the scandal has had. But neither side of politics looks likely to have scored a telling blow. (dpa)