Crossword Genius

Party debts are gruelling (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laborious

'gruelling' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'party debts' is the wordplay.
'party' becomes 'labor' (Labor Party, Australian political party).
'debts' becomes 'IOUs'.
'labor'+'ious'='LABORIOUS'

'are' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for laborious that I've seen before include "Involving hard work" , "Using much time and effort" , "Gruelling" , "Strenuous" , "Arduous" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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