Prime Minister Tony Abbott appears to be in some quite severe hot water surrounding a scholarship awarded to his daughter Frances Abbott. Ms Abbott completed a three year Bachelor of Design course at the private Whitehouse Institute of Design, for which she was awarded a $60,000 scholarship.
Here’s where the problems are arising. The Whitehouse Institute has claimed that what Ms Abbott was awarded was a “Chairman’s Scholarship.” Internal documents have shown that it is, in fact, a “Managing Director’s Scholarship.” The terminology doesn’t pose much of an issue. However the school has declined to disclose how many times that particular scholarship has been awarded in the past. And, in fact, the school’s website currently clearly states that it “does not currently offer scholarships to gain a place into the Bachelor of Design.” The school does offer scholarships for exceptional students to continue their studies at the school, but none for students prior to entry. Ms Abbott received her scholarship prior to attending the Whitehouse Institute. For her three years at the private, and exclusive, school, she paid a grand total of $7,546 tuition, for a degree that ordinarily costs $68,182.
Where the Prime Minister runs into trouble is due to the fact that he did not declare the scholarship on the Members’ Interests Register, which discloses political gifts. Mr Abbott has stated the scholarship was not included because it was earned on merit. But the nature of that merit is in severe question, with prior relationships between the Whitehouse Institute Chairman of the Board, Les Taylor and Tony Abbott emerging. Taylor has been shown to have donated large sums to the NSW Liberal Party, and evidence is emerging that Taylor expressly approached Frances about attending the Whitehouse school, and not a rival.
If the scholarship is found to have been awarded on grounds other than merit, then the Prime Minister’s political career is in severe trouble.
More on this story as it develops.
Photo: Lisa Maree Williams via Getty Images.
