Bronwyn Bishop refuses to apologise – see the Australian public’s amazing response

It doesn’t seem like Australia will be getting a direct apology from Bronwyn Bishop anytime soon – and the Australian people don’t seem very happy about it.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, responding to calls for her to resign over a recent $5,200 flight from Melbourne to Geelong, has responded to the criticism. However, her response has left many Australians wanting.

She acknowledged it was an error in judgement, and “clearly unacceptable”. However, asked if she would apologise, she simply said “the biggest apology one can make is to repay the amount”.

“When I saw the figure, it looked large and I thought I should pay it, and am paying it”.

She did, however, use her time in the spotlight to snipe at those criticising her.

“There’s been a political beat-up and I’m very sorry it’s taken the heat off Mr Shorten and his triple-whammy carbon tax bill,” she said.

She also likened it to Joe Hockey’s recent controversial comments about the poor. “Joe says some funny things sometimes, doesn’t he?”

“I think he said poor people don’t drive cars or something.”

The Australian people were quick to respond.  Comments on the newly-dubbed “ChopperGate” have since exploded on Twitter, with comedians, journalists and politicians alike keen to join in on the matter.

Read some of the most memorable comments below, and tell us: do you agree? Is Australia right to bite back so hard at Bishop? Or has she done enough to make amends?
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Hockey: The poorest people don't drive cars.
Bishop: Neither do I, darling!#auspol #BronwynBishop

— Mark Humphries (@markhumphries) July 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/KKeneally/status/622290103520612353

Thought about catching a chopper home from work but decided to endure the traffic instead #choppergate

— Patricia Karvelas (@PatsKarvelas) July 17, 2015

https://twitter.com/JacquiDurrant/status/621471889223909376

PMO MEDIA RELEASE

Due to circumstances beyond our control the start of 'good government' has been delayed yet again#shenua #choppergate

— Ray Martin (@Raymartin55) July 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/SquigglyRick/status/622288474922598400

Many Aussies are struggling to make ends meat, yet our politicians think it's acceptable to abuse the public purse #choppergate #auspol

— Clive Palmer (@CliveFPalmer) July 18, 2015

Hubris: a person in authority becomes so proud of their exceptional qualities that they form a delusion they are equal to gods #choppergate

— Andrew Catsaras (@AndrewCatsaras) July 18, 2015

If @TonyAbbottMHR thinks Bronwyn Bishop helicopter flight abuse is "village gossip"why did he so ruthlessly pursue Peter Slipper? #hypocrisy

— Christine Milne AO (@ChristineMilne) July 18, 2015

Mum on Bronwyn Bishop: "she's going to need a new Hermes handbag just for all her receipts."

— oneplanetmikey (@oneplanetmikey) July 15, 2015

Bronwyn Bishop says her $90k 1st class European trip & $5k helicopter ride were within guidelines. Time perhaps, to rewrite the guidelines?

— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) July 15, 2015

And that was Bronwyn Bishop doing an expert impression of a crash test dummy there.

— Bernard Keane (@BernardKeane) July 18, 2015