Mark Butler has supported a potential review of parliamentary allowances in the wake of Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s $5000 taxpayer funded helicopter ride.
The Australian Labor Party president backed the suggestion during his appearance on the ABC’s Q&A program on Monday, saying a rethink of allowances would be a "silver lining" of the controversy.
"All of us always welcome a review when there is an issue that causes the public to focus on these things," he said.
"It is in all of our interests to have a review when this sort of controversy arises, work out what's fair, what the proper reporting system is and move on."
Mr Butler criticised the Speaker’s use of the chartered flight, labelling it inappropriate.
He said his party had also sought clarification from the Prime Minister on Mrs Bishop’s probation.
"The Prime Minister said the Speaker is on probation as of today," he said.
"We have written to him to ask exactly what that means particularly in terms of her continuing to carry out her functions as Speaker."
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie also voiced support for a review while appearing on the panel alongside Mr Butler, saying the issue needed to be “put under the microscope”.
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“It is about high time it was put under public scrutiny,” she said.
“It's brewing and it's nearly at the surface. Quite frankly, it needs to come out in the open because right now the public is being judge and jury.
“I can tell you, some of the things said to me in Tasmania over the last week, I can't repeat them on national television but they were not cool.”
Their comments were made hours after Mr Abbott said the Speaker was on probation, potentially paving the way for her removal if an investigation into her travel claims finds against her.
Mr Abbott said she still had his support, despite copping "a justifiable hiding" over a 100km helicopter flight.
"But like everyone who has done something like this, inevitably, for a period of time, they are on probation,” he said.
The finance department is investigating the claims Mrs Bishop made for the helicopter ride from Melbourne to a Liberal Party fundraiser in Geelong, as well as two more recent charter flights to the NSW regional towns of Young and Nowra.
The Speaker already has repaid $5227 and a 25 per cent penalty for the Geelong charter.
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