YOUNG has been listed as one of federal Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s charter flight destinations being investigated.
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The embattled federal Speaker Bronwyn Bishop has revealed a federal department is examining two more charter flights, including one to Nowra, she has admitted it could have been used to attend party political events.
The development comes as Fairfax Media can reveal that Mrs Bishop charged taxpayers almost $1000 a day to travel in luxurious private limousines during her $90,000 fortnight in Europe.
The Speaker finally conceded on Saturday that she made an "error of judgment" when she chartered a $5227 helicopter to make the short journey from Melbourne to Geelong for a Liberal Party fundraiser last year.
Mrs Bishop revealed she had also asked the Department of Finance to look into two other charter flights she had taken since becoming Speaker – one to Nowra and one to Young – for the sake of "completeness".
"There were certainly public meetings, there could have been a fundraiser as well," she said.
The Young Witness can confirm that when Bronwyn Bishop travelled to Young last year for a Liberal Party function - she arrived by private chartered flight and departed that night, again, by chartered flight.
Young Witness managing editor Edwina Mason said that, in itself, was remarkable.
"I thought, whoa, that was a pretty big deal for her to be flying in for a dinner," she said.
"As we all know out here, Young's airport is not serviced by regular flights - so I thought we should get a photographer out there to get a photo of her arriving.
"Of course, I'm kicking myself now that we didn't, as we were so caught up with other happenings in the town that day," she added.
Mrs Bishop was in Young as keynote speaker for a $50-a-head Liberal Party function held at the Young Services Club.
Member for Hume Angus Taylor said, at the time, the speaker received a “rockstar” welcome from the close to 200 people who attended.
It is not known where Ms Bishop was travelling from to reach Young or her destination when she departed Young airport later that night.
Mr Taylor's office was contacted this morning for further details about Ms Bishop's flight to Young but asked that we speak directly to the Speaker’s office.
The Speakers office released the following statement on Monday afternoon:
"The Department of Finance are currently undertaking a review of the charter used by Speaker on 5 November 2015.
"The Speaker has now asked the Department of Finance to review all of her presiding officer charter and whilst this process is underway, it is inappropriate for the Speaker to provide commentary."