Tony Abbott’s take on travel entitlement rules

Tony Abbott might have justified Bronwyn Bishop’s use of taxpayer money for her personal tour, but he seems intent on avoiding such issues in the future. To make sure that he or anyone else does not have to go through this scandal in the coming years, he is planning to make further changes to entitlement regulations.

While defending the Speaker in his last conversation, he also made it clear that no politician has the right to violate the rules. He said that the government already made some modifications and hinted on making more necessary changes in the entitlement rulebook. He informed the media that the committee is reviewing the matter and working on the same.

The PM also claimed flying economy class with his family during a long trip to Europe for Christmas 2013. As he said, that's how most people travel, and so that's how he and his family travel as well.

Bishop held a short media event to answer the questions about the allegations. Mr Abbott and Bishop met on Wednesday where the Speaker made it clear that the PM did not ask her to apologise.

“I am so apologetic to the Australia people for letting them down and I will be working very hard to make sure things are right,” she said during the short media event held in regional Victoria . Yet she ensured that she did not break any entitlement rules laid down by the Parliament.

"Although it's within the rules it just doesn't look right and therefore I am apologising and repaying," she said in the media event. Meanwhile, the demand for her resignation is still on. She was reportedly threatened with a no-confidence motion as soon as the Parliament resumes.

Making the call justifiable, Clive Palmer, one of the initiators of the move, said that Bishop is growing old and should resign because of her unhealthy approach during Question Time debate in the Parliament.

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