The point in the Speaker's case is that
she had access to a federally-funded, chauffeur-driven
ComCar that would have taken her to Geelong just as
quickly as the helicopter.
The helicopter was unnecessary. She could have
taken a car. She chose the helicopter without a second
thought.

The role of the Speaker is enshrined in Westminster convention.
The Speaker is meant to be independent, and her behaviour
above reproach.

Quite obviously, the Speaker
should not be using her taxpayer entitlements to raise money
for her own political party.

The fund-raiser was not official
parliamentary business. And, as Andrew Bolt pointed out (and
Peter Costello agreed) on today's "Bolt Report,"
Her behaviour was inexcusable.

And, - "it gets worse,"
there's even more to come that is currently under investigation.
A Report will be released shortly.

Hopefully out of all this - the
MPs perks and entitlements will receive closer scrutiny in the
future so this does not happen again.

In the meantime Mrs Bishop should follow Peter Slipper's
example and simply resign. It will be interesting to see
where Mr Abbott stands on this matter.
Perhaps he's waiting until the Report is released before he
acts.

For me this discussion has now run its course.
I'll see you all elsewhere on this forum.

Interesting times ahead as far as Canberra is
concerned.

Enjoy your evening.

Poirot,

I love it when you cock it up. The article to which you referred was TA flying to Melbourne on business where he also attended a birthday party that was not a fund raiser which was entirely within the rules.

Juliar flew to Brisbane solely for a labor fundraiser, which was an abuse, and Labor is still far ahead on abuse of taxpayers' money.

P.S. Brandis only referred Thomson to the police based on solid documentary evidence, on which he was later convicted. Slipper was referred by Ashby. Labor has referred many more cases to the AFP, all of which have been dismissed by the AFP as frivolous.

SM,

"....The article to which you referred was TA flying to Melbourne on business where he also attended a birthday party that was not a fund raiser which was entirely within the rules."

Keeping in mind that your utterances are usually just blatherings of hot air - can we have some details please?

"He started the day in Brisbane and flew to Sydney for the NSW Liberal election campaign launch with Premier Mike Baird before flying with a small group aboard the RAAF VIP plane to Melbourne.

Once he arrived at Huntingdale, the PM shed his tie and mingled with guests, enjoying crayfish and aged Wagyu beef with a glass of chardonnay. He also gave a speech in honour of Mr Marks."

Cough up the "business" particulars in Melbourne - because T.Abbott is amongst the most gifted rorters of the Coalition.

"....Slipper was referred by Ashby. Labor has referred many more cases to the AFP, all of which have been dismissed by the AFP as frivolous."

Erm...the original allegation by Ashby was thrown out by the AFP - who for some reason decided to go a-diggin' for more - and came up with the cab charges.

Which gives one a lot of faith in the AFP - since Abbott is currently embedded with them - oh look, they chucked it straight back to Finance, which is now overseen by the woman who covered up Howard's children overboard!

Poirot,

There is only one case of Any MP referred to the AFP by the libs, yet just recently we have Bishop and Dutton referred to the AFP by labor

Dear Shadow Minister,

I feel obliged to correct you regarding the former
PM, Julia Gillard's flight to Brisbane. You will
find that the rules surrounding the way the aircraft
are used for the Governor General, Minister of Defence,
and the Prime Minister, has been the same under successive
governments.

For example, former Prime Minister John Howard's use of the jet,
was exactly the same, including the Boxing Day Test at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2006.

Ordinary MPs including the Speaker - were banned from using entitlements for party business
and of course the same rules should apply at the top.
But apparently they don't and Prime Ministers, Governor
Generals, and the Minister of Defence are in a class by themselves.

See you on another discussion.