Rarely is Australia's media united on a political issue but the continuing revelations about Bronwyn Bishop's grandiose use of taxpayer entitlements has seen the majority of the nation's newspapers call for her dismissal as Speaker.
A political expert warned the united front from the media spelled danger for the Prime Minister and showed the backlash against the Speaker was as much about Tony Abbott's leadership just as Peter Slipper was for Julia Gillard.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is standing by his Speaker despite weeks of negative coverage, saying on Friday Mrs Bishop was "deeply remorseful" and "very, very chastened" for hiring a $5000 helicopter ride to a Liberal fund-raiser.
But he has not commented since despite further revelations of her extravagant use of travel entitlements, including private limos and private plane rides. The Speaker has refused to resign and said she will repay all travel claims made to attend several weddings of Liberal friends.
Fairfax Media's three print mastheads – The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times – have all declared the Speaker should go in light of her decision to charter a $5000 private helicopter to travel from Melbourne to Geelong for a Liberal fund-raiser.
"Bronwyn Bishop should depart the Speaker's chair," The Age wrote on July 17 before Mrs Bishop's belated decision to say sorry.
"Bronwyn Bishop fails the standards test again," The Sydney Morning Herald wrote on July 30.
"Mrs Bishop is the custodian of parliamentary reputation. She has brought shame on that role," the paper said, rejecting her grovelling apology.
"Tony Abbott needs to know that Bronwyn Bishop must go," The Canberra Times urged on Friday.
"Mr Abbott may believe the public's disgust at politicians' venal behaviour will blow over, but there is no prospect that his political opponents will let the matter slide," it said.
The Australian Financial Review said last week: "Bronwyn Bishop cannot survive such damage to her authority."
"She has both outraged voters and divided the government. From now on, she will merely be a magnet for opposition stunts and public ire," the Fin said.
News Corp, traditionally a supporter of the Coalition government, has also strongly urged the Speaker to go in its metropolitan tabloids and broadsheet.
"Ms Bishop should expel herself," The Australian declared on Thursday.
"For the good of this high office, the Liberal Party and Abbott government, Madam Speaker should resign or be sacked. Her position is now untenable," the paper said.
Sydney tabloid The Sunday Telegraph said on Sunday: "Tony Abbott must cut liability Speaker of the House Bronwyn Bishop loose".
"Driving Miss Bronny. That's the headline Tony Abbott doesn't need. And that's the reason why he must cut Bronwyn Bishop loose," its editorial read.
Melbourne's Sunday Herald Sun was equally blunt.
"It's time to go, Bronwyn Bishop," the paper said.
"Mr Abbott is expected to act sooner rather than later," the editor predicted.
Queensland's Courier Mail agreed.
ANU political scientist John Warhust said the media coverage had progressed from a "squabble about the Speaker" to "taking over politics as a whole".
"It's very high profile and I think that spells danger for the government and for Bronwyn Bishop," he said.
"It's probably unusual to have such a united front against a politician in a particular example and it shows the Prime Minister is under just as much attack as the Speaker," he said.
"As Slipper was the Captain's Pick for Julia Gillard, Bronwyn Bishop was seen as the Captain's Pick for Abbott and that results in pressure on the Prime Minister," he said.
