Bronwyn Bishop 'acted like a spoilt brat' on Qantas flight
New claims have come to light that embattled Speaker Bronwyn Bishop acted like a 'spoilt brat' on a flight when she couldn't get her favourite seat.
Former Qantas flight attendant Clayton Long told Fairfax Media that the incident occurred on a Perth to Sydney about 15 years ago.
The claims come after it was revealed that Mrs Bishop claimed $5000 for a taxpayer-funded helicopter flight from Melbourne to Geelong.
He said: "It was because she (Ms Bishop) didn’t get the seat that she prefers. She likes the front row of business class.
“But business class was full with the exception of two seats. She was given the seat with no one next to her but she still wasn’t happy.”
A spokesman for Mrs Bishop has reportedly denied the allegations.
Mr Long, who was the senior attendant on the flight, claims that Mrs Bishop eventually agreed to get on the plane because it was made clear the flight would leave without her if she did not board.
He explained to Fairfax that Mrs Bishop made her displeasure very clear to the flight staff, despite them trying to provide the best service they could.
“She wouldn’t take anything. she was like a spoilt child.
“I just thought it was incredible. She’s paid by the Australian taxpayer. To even get into her mind that she’s entitled to a particular seat just floors me.”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said Ms Bishop is "on probation" after a storm of criticism over her $5000 taxpayer-funded helicopter flight.
Last week Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra: "What I expect of Bronwyn, indeed what I expect of all of my people, is that they will act in accordance with the rules.
"The message to Bronwyn is ... please no errors in the future like the sorts of errors that we have seen in the not-too-distant past."
Mrs Bishop already has repaid more than $5200, plus a $1300 penalty, she claimed from taxpayers for a helicopter flight between Melbourne and Geelong to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser.
