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Bronwyn Bishop told by Tony Abbott’s office 'not to give helicopter apology' Bronwyn Bishop told by Tony Abbott’s office 'not to give helicopter apology'
(6 months later)
Bronwyn Bishop was instructed by Tony Abbott’s office not to apologise for the $5,000 helicopter ride that cost the former speaker her job, a new book reveals.Bronwyn Bishop was instructed by Tony Abbott’s office not to apologise for the $5,000 helicopter ride that cost the former speaker her job, a new book reveals.
The Road to Ruin author Niki Savva has revealed Bishop wanted to “lay it all on the line” and issue a “grovelling” apology for taking the expensive ride at the taxpayers’ expense.The Road to Ruin author Niki Savva has revealed Bishop wanted to “lay it all on the line” and issue a “grovelling” apology for taking the expensive ride at the taxpayers’ expense.
Related: Bronwyn Bishop travel expenses scandal: how it unfolded – timeline
But the former prime minister’s office told her not to say sorry because it would imply guilt and could spark a domino effect that would affect others.But the former prime minister’s office told her not to say sorry because it would imply guilt and could spark a domino effect that would affect others.
“She was told not to say sorry, not to admit guilt,” Savva told ABC on Sunday.“She was told not to say sorry, not to admit guilt,” Savva told ABC on Sunday.
Bishop’s lack of apology sparked community anger, and almost three weeks after the trip was aired publicly, she lost the speakership.Bishop’s lack of apology sparked community anger, and almost three weeks after the trip was aired publicly, she lost the speakership.
Savva’s book also reveals Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells’ concern about a rumoured affair between Abbott and his chief of staff Peta Credlin.Savva’s book also reveals Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells’ concern about a rumoured affair between Abbott and his chief of staff Peta Credlin.
Senator Fierravanti-Wells told Abbott in February 2015 – on the eve of a leadership spill vote – that the perception he was having an affair with Credlin was damaging him.Senator Fierravanti-Wells told Abbott in February 2015 – on the eve of a leadership spill vote – that the perception he was having an affair with Credlin was damaging him.
Coalition MPs have played down the accounts in Savva’s book, with attorney general George Brandis saying the events should be left to historians.Coalition MPs have played down the accounts in Savva’s book, with attorney general George Brandis saying the events should be left to historians.
But communications minister Mitch Fifield urged his coalition colleagues to take it in their stride.But communications minister Mitch Fifield urged his coalition colleagues to take it in their stride.
Related: Abbott and Credlin's 'destructive' relationship led to downfall, says author
“There will be accounts of the events that led to a change of prime minister. That’s inevitable,” he told ABC on Sunday. “I think it’s quite right that there is a public record of what led to such a significant change.”“There will be accounts of the events that led to a change of prime minister. That’s inevitable,” he told ABC on Sunday. “I think it’s quite right that there is a public record of what led to such a significant change.”
He believes his party has shown “incredible” unity since Malcolm Turnbull toppled Abbott last year, despite the former prime minister’s strong presence in media.He believes his party has shown “incredible” unity since Malcolm Turnbull toppled Abbott last year, despite the former prime minister’s strong presence in media.
“It’s really for Tony Abbott to measure himself against the model of how a former prime minister, a former leader should conduct themselves, which is John Howard.”“It’s really for Tony Abbott to measure himself against the model of how a former prime minister, a former leader should conduct themselves, which is John Howard.”
Brandis said Abbott was determined not to be like Kevin Rudd, who disrupted Labor’s election campaign in 2010 after being ousted as prime minister by Julia Gillard.Brandis said Abbott was determined not to be like Kevin Rudd, who disrupted Labor’s election campaign in 2010 after being ousted as prime minister by Julia Gillard.
“Tony Abbott has absolutely no respect whatsoever for Kevin Rudd,” Brandis told Sky News.“Tony Abbott has absolutely no respect whatsoever for Kevin Rudd,” Brandis told Sky News.
But Greens leader Richard Di Natale said the situation was reminiscent of the Rudd-Gillard era.But Greens leader Richard Di Natale said the situation was reminiscent of the Rudd-Gillard era.
“There’s no question it’s harmful,” he told ABC.“There’s no question it’s harmful,” he told ABC.