Slipper is PM's 'problem', says Abbott

4 Oct 2012, 10:35 am   -   Source: AAP
MP Tony Windsor says Peter Slipper (pic) should return to the Speaker's chair if cleared. (AAP)

MP Tony Windsor says Peter Slipper (pic) should return to the Speaker's chair if cleared. (AAP)

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Peter Slipper's future as Speaker is a problem entirely for the prime minister to resolve.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Peter Slipper is "wholly and solely" the responsibility of the prime minister.

As a result, Julia Gillard must be accountable for the actions and standards of the man she installed as Speaker, he said.

Mr Slipper returns to the Federal Court on Thursday to defend claims he harassed staffer James Ashby.

The pair took part in nearly nine hours of mediation on Wednesday but failed to reach a settlement.

Mr Slipper, who has stood aside from presiding over House of Representatives sittings, is also waiting on a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions about allegations he misused Cabcharges supplied by the commonwealth.

Mr Abbott says the speakership is Ms Gillard's "problem".

"The prime minister who put him there must answer for him," he told reporters in Melbourne.

The opposition leader was responding to questions about Mr Slipper's future as Speaker.

Earlier, independent MP Tony Windsor said if Mr Slipper was cleared of both matters there should be no obstacle to him resuming his full role.

"I wouldn't see an issue with him being able to return to the chair if in fact all those things happened," he told ABC radio.

If it came to a vote in parliament Mr Windsor said he could not see how he would object to it.

Pressed about the issue, Mr Abbott said: "This speaker is wholly and solely a product of this prime minister and Peter Slipper's standards are Julia Gillard's responsibility."

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