Down goes another Abbott captain’s pick.
The right honourable Browyn Bishop, Speaker of the House of Representatives, for ripping off and lying to the Australian taxpayers for a variety of white limo rides all over the place and the odd helicopter jaunt for Liberal Party fundraiser in Geelong.
Question: Will ‘Bronny’ do the right thing and fall on her sword? Hardly likely.
In fact she refuses to apologise as she has done nothing wrong except failing to check her expense declaration, which she signed ‘without her specs on’.
All the staff’s fault, their job to check, she just signed.
Oh my God. Anyway, the money has been paid back (since the media exposure).
And further she (the Speaker of the House) has paid a hefty fine of $1,300 (about three hours work for her).
Gordon Nuttall, the ex-Beattie government ‘bagman’ got a parliamentary fine of $82,000 for lying to Parliament and sent to jail for six years.
The rorting of parliamentary expense entitlements has been a long standing public sore.
Most of them do it, albeit to a lesser extent than perhaps (white limo/helicopter) Bishop.
Who can forget the former Speaker of the House of so called Honourable Peter (‘the rat’) Slipper and his ‘Limo ride to the Canberra wineries’. But at least he had to face court for that blatant $900 splurge and pleaded guilty and got community service.
So when is the Right Honourable Bishop going to face court to give account?
Nobody in this country is above the law, isn’t that right Tony?
Answer: not while Tony’s got her back (just probation, until it all blows over) because Bishop has just too many skeletons in her closet that she could bring out.
T. Sharples, Tweed Heads
Couldn’t agree more.
Bronwyn is a product of that priveleged element of society who have convinced themselves that they are part of the ruling class because of their intellect, wealth and fortunate family origins. Admittedly some have got there by sheer hard work but not without powerful sponsors. But in the end even those with common roots are corrupted by the access to power and wealth that political service provides. Those strong individuals who resist the temptations of wealth and diplomatic posts usually fade into the sunset. Even worse! Gaoled and/disgraced.
There is a myth within the pidgin english language that a helicopter is referred to as “mixmaster belong Jesus Christ.” Maybe Bron thought of herself as descending from heaven as a master Chef.