Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has called on politicians to maintain a high standard of behaviour after a Queensland Liberal National Party MP was caught in a porn scandal.
Peter Dowling, a married man who headed a parliamentary ethics committee, has apologised to his family, colleagues and the government over claims he sent images of his penis in a wine glass to his mistress.
It's also alleged he may have used public resources to conduct his affair.
Campaigning in the marginal seat of Dobell, where former Labor MP Craig Thomson is facing his own sex expenses scandal, Mr Abbott called on MPs to behave themselves.
"Look, people should maintain a high standard of good behaviour," he told reporters on the NSW Central Coast.
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Mr Dowling has stood aside as the head of the Queensland parliament's ethics committee.
"I owe my family an apology, I am sorry for the pain and embarrassment I caused you," Mr Dowling told parliament.
"I am not proud of the events plastered all over the paper.
"I can't and won't defend any part of it."
