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Abbott weighs in on Australia's expenses scandal Abbott warns MPs against "exploiting" expenses rules
(35 minutes later)
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has weighed in on an expenses scandal that has embroiled the government for the past three weeks. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has reminded Australian politicians they cannot "get away with exploiting the rules" on expenses.
Mr Abbott said on Friday the woman at the centre of the scandal, Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop, was "deeply remorseful" about her use of tax-payers' funds to travel to friends' weddings and Liberal party functions. His comments come amid the expenses scandal that has embroiled the government for the past three weeks.
The Prime Minister - who has himself had to pay back money spent on travel - has reminded all politicians they cannot "get away with exploiting the rules". Mr Abbott said on Friday the woman at the centre of the scandal, Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop, was "deeply remorseful" about her use of taxpayers' funds to travel to friends' weddings and Liberal party functions.
The prime minister has himself had to pay back money spent on travel in the past.
Bronwyn Bishop memesBronwyn Bishop memes
It all began when it became public that Ms Bishop had spent A$5,000 ($3,647, £2,339) of public funds on a helicopter flight to a Liberal Party function that could have easily been reached by road. The scandal began when it became public that Ms Bishop had spent A$5,000 ($3,647; £2,339) of public funds on a helicopter flight to a Liberal Party function that could have easily been reached by road.
She has also claimed expenses for travel to several weddings of her Liberal Party colleagues.She has also claimed expenses for travel to several weddings of her Liberal Party colleagues.
Australia's rules about travel entitlements for politicians are hazy but Ms Bishop's spending set social media on fire and she soon became the Speaker who sparked a thousand memes. Australia's rules about travel entitlements for politicians are hazy but Ms Bishop's spending set social media on fire and she soon became the speaker who sparked a thousand memes.
The Facebook page Australian Political Memes gained more than 13,000 followers in just a week, as users poked fun at her chopper ride.The Facebook page Australian Political Memes gained more than 13,000 followers in just a week, as users poked fun at her chopper ride.
Ms Bishop has apologised and is paying back the helicopter costs but she is resisting calls, from independent senators and reportedly even from some members of the government, to resign.Ms Bishop has apologised and is paying back the helicopter costs but she is resisting calls, from independent senators and reportedly even from some members of the government, to resign.
"I love this country very much and it does sadden me that I have let [the public] down," Ms Bishop told reporters."I love this country very much and it does sadden me that I have let [the public] down," Ms Bishop told reporters.
"I won't resign from the position but I will be working very hard," she said."I won't resign from the position but I will be working very hard," she said.