Veteran Liberal MP Philip Ruddock says he wants to replace Bronwyn Bishop as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Mrs Bishop resigned from the role yesterday after an almost three-week saga surrounding her use of travel expenses.

In a statement to AAP, Mr Ruddock said: “Yes, I would be available [to be the speaker] if my parliamentary colleagues sought it.”

• Bronwyn Bishop resigns after expenses saga
• Bishop’s failure shared by her Prime Minister
• It’s been a shocker: households struggle through 2015

A Liberal who reportedly gets on well with Labor. Russell Broadbent might be the most partial candidate available. Photo: Getty

Cabinet minister Scott Morrison said Mr Ruddock was well respected but there were plenty of other good candidates.

It was important for the coalition party room to go through the “grassroots” process and pick a new Speaker.

“And that Speaker will set the tone for balance of this parliament, and hopefully beyond,” Mr Morrison told 2GB radio on Monday.

It was first revealed Ms Bishop spent more than $5,000 chartering a helicopter from Melbourne to Geelong to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser in 2014, and then fresh controversy was ignited over her earlier refusals to repay expenses she claimed to attend two of her colleagues’ weddings. 

Coalition MPs reportedly back “Father of the House” Mr Ruddock, 72, as the most likely replacement for Mrs Bishop, the ABC reported.

Mr Ruddock was last in the headlines in early 2015 when Prime Minister Tony Abbott sacked him as chief government whip.

At the time Mr Abbott said Mr Ruddock “wasn’t aware as he should have been” about backbench unrest over the prime minister’s leadership.

Neither Mr Ruddock or Bruce Scott, deputy speaker since 2012, have said publicly they want the job, but it is understood both could be candidates.

However, reports say that if the role was given to Mr Scott, a Nationals MP, that party would need to give up a front bench role.

Another frontrunner is Victorian Liberal Russell Broadbent, who sits on the speaker’s panel, meaning he is already able to act as deputy speaker.

Mr Broadbent is described as a moderate on social issues and has a good relationship with Labor.

There was speculation among Liberal and Nationals MPs that the Defence Minister Kevin Andrews may be asked to take on the role but it is understood he has said he does not want to give up his Cabinet position.

It was felt this option was also unlikely because it would require a frontbench reshuffle, which MPs did not believe the Prime Minister wanted to embark on.

Mrs Bishop will not be officially replaced until Parliament resumes next Monday through a vote of the House of Representatives. 

– with ABC and AAP