MPs are set to defy Prime Minister Tony Abbott's order for them to 'sack their wives' Tony Abbott has ordered his MPs to stop employing family members. AN order from Prime Minister Tony Abbott for MPs to "sack your wives" from their offices to stop them double dipping has sparked warnings that some will defy the edict. After previously issuing a warning to ministers not to rehire family members, Mr Abbott yesterday announced sweeping changes to parliamentary entitlements, including fines for MPs who pay back money they were not entitled to and an instruction to sack wives, children and in-laws on the taxpayer-funded payroll by January 1. WA Liberal Senator Chris Back (wife) SA Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi (wife), Qld Nationals MP George Christensen (sister), NT Liberal MP Natasha Griggs (brother in law), WA Liberal MP Dennis Jensen (daughter), NSW Liberal Craig Kelly (wife) QLD Liberal Ian Macdonald (wife), WA Don Randall (daughter Tess), NSW Liberal Bob Baldwin (daughter was relief staffer) Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker (son) WA Liberal Steve Irons (son), SA Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey (wife). Special Minister of State Michael Ronaldson (previously employed son) (Vic MP) Labor Senator Glenn Sterle (wife Linda) Mr Abbott insists he will not allow the new Parliament to descend into "a circus" and wants to clean up the rules before ushering in a more "courteous, respectful" approach. "I think it would be pretty hard for anyone to beat the circus that was the last Parliament," Mr Abbott said. I hope that it will be a courteous Parliament. I don't expect it to be devoid of passion. Basically everyone is there for good reasons and wants to do the right thing. Current arrangements allow some MPs to claim travel allowances for two people despite the fact spouses sleep in the same bed, costing taxpayers almost $600. The new rules would force West Australian Liberal MP Don Randall, who was caught up in the entitlements saga, to sack his daughter Tess. And WA Labor Senator Glenn Sterle said he has no intention of sacking his wife, Fiona. "I won't be sacking any of my staff," he said. My wife worked for a state MP for years and is more than qualified for the job. And you know what else? I like keeping our marriage together. I don't like going to bars in Canberra. I can go home and get a home-cooked meal. Special Minister of State Michael Ronaldson, who is responsible for policing the new rules, previously employed his son Jack. Senator Ronaldson conceded MPs will still be allowed to employ colleagues' spouses and children, prompting Coalition MPs to suggest a game of musical chairs may shortly erupt to find spouses and children new jobs. "I don't think it's any secret I employed my son," Senator Ronaldson said. The Prime Minister has now made the new rules clear. NSW Liberal MP Craig Kelly, who employs his wife Vicki, said his son had Down syndrome and autism and if that was not the case he would love to employ her full time. I'm going to have to change that, probably. She works two days a week in the office. I wish she could do more," he said. Northern Territory Liberal MP Natasha Griggs said: "I do have my sister's husband working for me." Asked if she was going to sack him, Ms Griggs said: "No. But his contract runs out in January.