Australia's PM says federal speaker not to be fired over expenses controversy

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said federal Speaker Bronwyn Bishop is "on probation," dousing talks of her being fired from her position in Parliament.

Bishop came under fire last week after her controversial use of taxpayers' money was revealed.

She was found to have hired a helicopter to travel the short distance between Melbourne and Geelong in order to attend a fundraising event. Travel time by car between the cities can often take as little as one hour.

The short trip cost Australian taxpayers 3,853 U.S dollars, which she has since said she would repay.

But Abbott said she has copped a "justifiable hiding" from the media, from which she has learned a "salutary lesson." He refused to enter discussion about sacking her from the speaker's position, calling Bishop a "distinguished" servant to Australia.

"All I can say is that despite this serious lapse of judgment, Bronwyn has a long and distinguished history as a servant of our country, as a servant of our party, and she will learn a very salutary lesson," he told the media in Sydney on Monday.

Local media also revealed last week that Bishop, as speaker, was found to claim almost 600,000 U.S. dollars on parliamentary expenses in 2014, which included 262,000 U.S. dollars on overseas and domestic trips.

She was touted as the sixth-largest spender in Parliament, behind serving ministers whose roles include high levels of travel.

Bishop said on Saturday that she would not be standing down, controversially labeling the incident a "political beat-up."

She again came under fire when she refused to apologize for her excessive spending, instead saying her travel was conducted " within the rules."

The prime minister said Bishop was truly sorry for her actions, saying he had shared a "couple of long conversations" with the speaker. Abbott said he was of the belief she was "very contrite."

"Obviously Bronwyn Bishop is sorry, I can fully understand why people are disappointed," he said.

"Bronwyn has admitted this was an error of judgment. Frankly, I 'm unhappy about this as well."

Abbott said Bishop would repay the controversial helicopter trip with a 25 percent 'fine' added on, meaning the speaker will be a further 950 U.S. dollars out of pocket. Endi