The problem is Dex there seems to be more legs to this. The media will, as it should, examine issues of truth and issues pertaining to expenses as well as issues of character
given the position held is the second highest in the land and potentially as being required to act in the top position.
If he resigns or is removed from his position he can still sit in parliament to be judged for his performance at the next election.
If a sitting Prime Minister can be moved to the backbench why should a Deputy PM and leader of a minor Party be a protected species? The events are clearly harmful to the govt and just that alone could be deemed a basis for a change of Nationals leader. No-one has an absolute right to a senior position. They are there until their Party members wish them to be there as three former PMs have found out.
The Nationals must decide and if they decide to tough it out they must expect to own the circumstances of their leader as being acceptable
On this scandal Cory Bernardi is appropriately blunt as per below:
Conservative senator Cory Bernardi today gave Sky News a blunt assessment: “I think there is a reasonable expectation in Australian politics.
“One is that the Australian people will not get screwed by their government; and two, ministers will not screw their staff.”
http://www.news.com.au/finance/work...r/news-story/9391ddb048c3426e56ed6d00218e1682
