PM Tony Abbott calls Bronwyn Bishop's resignation “unprompted," says her career is likely over

On Sunday, Bronwyn Bishop resigned as the Speaker of the House of Representatives after being pressured for the same for misusing her travel entitlement claims. Tony Abbott respected the decision taken by Bishop and made it clear that her decision was “unprompted.” The prime minister denied Bronwyn was offered any kind of incentive to bring the continuous expenses scandal to an end.

“There has been no offer,” the PM told reporters in Adelaide. He also said that he’d had many conversations with Bishop these days and appreciated her decision of tendering resignation to stop the scandal-grabbing attention since mid-July. On Tuesday, however, Mr Abbott admitted Bishop's career in the parliamentary is "substantially at an end."

"That's a high price for someone who has dedicated 30 odd years to very intense public service," he lamented to Adelaide Radio 5AA.

Andrew Southcott, South Australian MP, appears to be the favourite candidate for the vacant speaker post. He confirmed this by saying that he “consulted with colleagues” and hence would be offering himself for the candidature. “It is one of the most important roles in federal parliament and I would be honoured to serve if asked to do so,” he said in a statement.

As confirmed earlier, veteran Liberal MP Philip Ruddock is also being considered for the position. Some more names that may get a chance include Deputy Speaker Bruce Scott, Liberal MP Sharman Stone, backbenchers Tony Smith, Russell Broadbent and Teresa Gambaro.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten recommended the names of Scott and Stone. “If it's Mr Scott or indeed if it's Sharman Stone from the seat of Murray, they are both people who at least don't have the same hyper-partisanship which has really made the last 21 months of Mr Abbott's government and the parliament such a laughing stock, ” he told Melbourne reporters.

Mr Abbott, however, said that he will hardly be surprised if the race for the position of the Speaker narrows to any one candidate in the coming days.

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