Tony Abbott to fine MPs who make dubious expense claims after scandal The scandal has embarrassed senior ministers and MPs, including Mr Abbott, who came under attack for claiming travel expenses to attend a wedding and to compete in sporting events. Other MPs were caught claiming thousands of dollars of expenses to attend major sporting events and, in one case, to inspect a prospective investment property. MPs have been forced to repay more than £12,000 in recent months as spurious claims have come to light, but it is believed these represent a tiny minority of misused expenses because there is presently little oversight over claims by Australian MPs. Mr Abbott initially resisted pressure over the scandal but said today he believed changes were needed to bolster public confidence in the integrity of parliament. "I think the vast majority of members of parliament do the right thing," he said. Occasionally mistakes are made, occasionally people might believe in retrospect things could have been done better and that's always going to be the case. Under the proposed changes, MPs who make more than one incorrect claim will be forced to undergo compulsory training and any MPs who do not assist with investigations will be named in parliament. MPs will not be allowed to travel first class, while spouses may be restricted from accompanying politicians on parliamentary delegations. The changes also include a new declaration to be signed with expense claims, which acknowledges that a "financial loading will be applied if subsequent adjustment to this travel claim is required."