Bronwyn Bishop Controversy Prompts Mark Butler To Support Entitlement Review For All MPs

The controversy over Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s move to fund a helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong with taxpayers' money has created quite a stir. In the wake of the controversy, Federal Labor MP Mr. Mark Butler said that he would welcome a review on the entitlement rules for the MPs and Politicians, so that further confusion regarding the matter can be avoided.

Mr. Butler said on ABC's Q&A program: "From my point of view, all MPs just want to know what the entitlements are, when you can travel, when you can claim this, when you can claim that and then get on with doing your job. The one silver lining that comes out of these controversies — that happen every several years or so — is that there's generally a good review.”

"I think all of us always welcome a review when there's some sort of issue that causes the public to focus on these things because what we want, as I said is community confidence in these issues,” he added.

Speaker Bronwyn Bishop has been embroiled in controversy since it was revealed that she spent AU$5227 to fund a helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong in order to attend a fundraiser for the Liberal party. She has been facing a wave of criticisms from the opposition as well as from the public since then. She has even agreed to repay the full amount plus the penalty charges even though the office of the Speaker said in a statement that the trip was organised abiding by the rules.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott too had expressed despair over the issue and has put Ms. Bishop on probation. "I can really understand why people are unhappy about this," Mr. Abbott said. "Frankly, I'm unhappy about it as well."

He also said the primary focus of the Government and the people who occupy important positions in the Government should be the betterment of others.

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