Bronwyn Bishop claimed trip to wedding

Embattled speaker Bronwyn Bishop claimed $600 for return flights from Sydney to Albury for Sophie Mirabella's wedding, Fairfax reports.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop speaks to the media at a news conference in Sydney, Saturday, July 18, 2015. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop speaks to the media at a news conference in Sydney, Saturday, July 18, 2015. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

Embattled Speaker Bronwyn Bishop is being accused of using taxpayers money to attend former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella's wedding, calling the trip official business.

The fresh allegations come after Ms Bishop was heavily criticised for using a taxpayer funded helicopter to travel from Melbourne to Geelong.

Soon after the coalition was elected in 2003, numerous ministers, including Tony Abbott, were forced to pay back taxpayer money they claimed to travel to weddings - including that of Ms Mirabella.

Senator George Brandis, Scott Morrison, Barnaby Joyce and Mr Abbott paid back the money, but Ms Bishop failed to follow followed suit, Fairfax newspapers reported on Friday.

The reports say an expense document written by Ms Bishop lists only "committee chair business" when asked the purpose of the $600 flights, which took her to three cities, including Albury, from where she travelled to the Wangaratta wedding.

A spokesman for Ms Bishop confirmed she was on official business when in Albury, but refused to answer questions about what that business was or whether she had any official engagements during the trip, Fairfax says.


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Source: AAP

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