Perhaps you’ve had it up to *here* with the ceaseless Bronwyn Bishop scandal. Trust us. So have we.
But as far as doozies go, the latest development in Bishop’s sprawling drama could well take the cake, as the Liberal Party room is looking increasingly shambolic as taxpayer-funded travel claims cause an uproar.
According to News Corp, a private flight between Sydney and Nowra was claimed by Bishop to attend a fundraiser in November last year. The cost of the journey clocked in at over $6000, according to the Tele.
Much like the infamous Melbourne to Geelong chopper, taking to the air for the Nowra trip certainly presents its problems – considering it’s a distance easily covered by car. Or even by a pensioner’s $2.50 all-day Opal card, at a stretch.
Seriously. It’s basically Uber-able.
However, the plot thickens given the context of today’s news: News Corp published the new finding off a source from within Bishop’s own ranks – via “Liberal sources”.
Bronwyn Bishop’s Chief of Staff Damien Jones did not deny the flight, nor did he confirm it was carried out by the same company as Bishop’s fateful Geelong journey, My Jet Aviation, saying, “It could well have been. I don’t have that information.”
Bishop’s call with the Daily Telegraph was reportedly cut short after Bishop said the line was “breaking up”. Nothing suss.
The Speaker’s office have refused to comment on the expenditure today, as the Finance Department undertakes its investigation into Bishop’s expenses claims, dating back to 1999.
Meanwhile, as news surrounding Bronwyn Bishop and Adam Goodes have consistently dominated headlines and the national conversation in the recent days, ABC presenter Barrie Cassidy‘s powerful take on both of the issues may be one of the best commentaries to come from this whole week. Have a read over here.
Via Daily Telegraph, ABC.
Lead image by Stefan Postles via Getty.
