PM says Bishop 'deeply remorseful'

MPs can't get away with exploiting the rules on taxpayer-funded travel entitlements, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

Tony Abbott (R) and Bronwyn Bishop

(AAP) Source: AAP

Tony Abbott has hinted taxpayer-funded travel entitlements for federal MPs could be tightened in the wake of an investigation into Speaker Bronwyn Bishop.

The prime minister says the lesson all MPs should take from the scandal around Mrs Bishop's travel entitlements is that "you cannot get away with exploiting the rules".

"As for Bronnie, she's repaid the money, with penalties," Mr Abbott told Radio 2SM.

"She is obviously deeply remorseful."
The Speaker apologised on Thursday, three weeks after it was revealed she charged taxpayers more than $5000 to take a helicopter to a Liberal Party fundraiser.

Since then it's emerged she also used travel expenses to pay for trips to attend other Liberal Party fundraisers and the weddings of colleagues.

Mrs Bishop is facing mounting pressure to resign as Speaker amid new claims she attended a second fundraiser a day after her infamous $5000 helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong.

The Speaker attended an Oaks Day function for the Liberal Party's Black Rock branch on November 6, leaving open the possibility her only engagements throughout the November trip were party fundraisers, The Australian reported on Friday.
The Department of Finance will investigate all her expense claims over the past 10 years.

Mr Abbott said anything found to be outside the rules would have to be repaid.

"Let's see what else might emerge out of the review that's going on now," he said.

Liberal backbencher Brett Whiteley has written to the Speaker expressing his anger over her abuse of entitlements.

His Tasmanian electorate is understandably upset over Mrs Bishop's use of taxpayer funds, he told the Hobart Mercury.

Independent MP Clive Palmer, who plans to move a no-confidence motion in the Speaker when parliament resumes in August, says it's not good enough for her to apologise but refuse to resign.

He warned Mr Abbott would face the wrath of the Australian public at the next election if he didn't intervene.

The Palmer United Party leader also posted the below video on Facebook after announcing the no-confidence motion, to be seconded by Independent Andrew Wilkie.



Labor says Mrs Bishop's apology was insincere and she is unfit for the job.

"An apology that's got out with a crow bar is not taken seriously," opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese told the Nine Network.

"Like a bad movie, it's four weddings and a political funeral."

Mrs Bishop's other colleagues are standing by her.

Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne considers the matter closed, given her apology.

"It's time that we moved on," he said.


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Source: AAP


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