For a government taking water for its failure to quickly acknowledge community outrage at the cavalier abuse of taxpayers’ money, the performance was extraordinary.

Leader of the House Christopher Pyne painted the main actor in a drama that had brought shame on them all as a victim.

Bronwyn Bishop, he said, “had been felled in the most unfair circumstances by politics today”.

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Never mind that her reluctant departure came after a drip feed of revelations that her extravagance was a habit.

Former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop reacts as she listens to newly elected Speaker Tony Smith. Photo: AAP

Her $5000 helicopter flight and her attendance at friends’ weddings while claiming confidential parliamentary business are possibly fraud, according to the independent MP Andrew Wilkie. He is still demanding the police investigate.

Saner members on the government backbench could hardly believe their ears when Mr Pyne went on.

“I do pay tribute to you as the Speaker. I think you have been a great political figure over your 30-year career in Australian politics,” he said.

“I think you will be remembered that way, always as being a great advocate for the causes in which you believed.”

Newly elected Speaker Tony Smith (centre) is dragged to his seat. Photo: AAP

Besides not sharing that assessment, one Liberal told me the greatest cause Bronwyn believed in was herself.

If there was any doubt her behaviour and initial contempt had cost the government dearly, the latest Newspoll put paid to that.

But Mr Pyne was not alone poking voters in the eye. The Prime Minister made a show of kissing Mrs Bishop on the cheek in full view of the TV cameras as they left the party room.

Mr Abbott then told the House: “Despite some admitted errors of judgement, she has served this parliament, our country, her party with dedication and distinction over 30 years. She has been a warrior for the causes she believed in.”

Precisely. This uber partisanship led her to be the worst Speaker in living memory. Decorum for her was ignoring the standing orders and throwing out record numbers of Labor MPs.

Bill Shorten got the tone right: “For all our clashes with the former Speaker, we wish her well.”

He is now hoping Tony Smith will restore the fairness and dignity his predecessor trashed.

Instead of showing that he and his government had finally got it, the Prime Minister and his senior colleague Mr Pyne had demonstrated just why voters have marked them down so consistently for so long. Instead of contrition, more arrogance was on display. It’s hardly the pathway for recovery.

The whole saga has seen the tentative recovery since the budget slammed into reverse. And there are signs on other issues that the public cares about, like climate change, the tin ear is the order of the day.

The latest Newspoll two-party-preferred result: Labor – 54, Coalition – 46

Polling for the Climate Institute shows Australians want meaningful action to reduce reliance on coal-fired power for a switch to renewables. They even accept there is a price to pay.

It is little wonder that Liberals in the west are nervous about the by-election to replace Don Randall in Canning after his sudden death.

On paper it should be a shoo-in. But by-elections have a habit of sending unpopular government’s nasty messages.

Paul Bongiorno AM is a veteran of the Canberra Press Gallery, with 40 years’ experience covering Australian politics. He is Contributing Editor for Network Ten, appears on Radio National Breakfast and writes a weekly column on national affairs for The New Daily. He tweets at @PaulBongiorno

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