Bubbly, scotch have Speaker in fine spirits

Her performance as Speaker of the House of Representatives has been condemned as shambolic and deeply biased.

But should Bronwyn Bishop have a bad day overseeing Parliament she will at least be able to seek solace in a bottle of scotch - or a dozen.

Mrs Bishop updated her register of interests this week to reveal she was given 12 bottles of Johnnie Walker Black, worth about $500.

The veteran Liberal was also given seven bottles of unidentified "mixed spirits".

A spokesman for the Speaker confirmed the alcohol was donated by lobby group the Distillers Association. Under longstanding rules, Federal MPs are required to publicly disclose gifts valued above $300.

Mrs Bishop's bar was already well stocked before the association came knocking.

In December, she declared the owner of the Parliament House cafe had given her a 2004 vintage bottle of Dom Perignon champagne.

Last month, Labor took the rare step of moving a no-confidence motion in Mrs Bishop's speakership, complaining she was a fierce political warrior for the Liberal Party and was incapable of calling Parliament in a fair manner.

Before the election the coalition promised its nominated Speaker would sit outside party room meetings in a show of neutrality.

But Mrs Bishop has continued to sit in coalition party room meetings regardless.

Expensive alcohol is a common gift for lobbyists looking to win favour with MPs.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell resigned this month after a note surfaced showing he had personally thanked a lobbyist for a gift of a $3000 bottle of wine.

He had previously claimed he had not received the wine.