Tony Abbott has been forced to defend his daughter Frances, pictured left on election night. Photo by Gary Ramage Source: News Limited
PRIME Minister Tony Abbott is strongly defending the career of one of his daughters after questions were raised over whether she had benefited from favours to her father by a friend.
Frances Abbott in 2011 won a $60,000 scholarship to the Whitehouse Institute of Design whose chairman Les Taylor is a longtime friend and supporter of Mr Abbott.
She graduated in 2013 with a bachelor degree, The Guardian reported today.
Frances, 22, is now working for Whitehouse in Melbourne as a teacher's aide and aims to study for her masters degree later this year.
There is no evidence she did not earn her degree on merit or that she was not entitled to her current job. And Mr Abbott's office said, in a statement to news.com.au, that Frances won the scholarship "based on her application and art portfolio".
Tonight Mr Abbott's office said the Clerk of the House of Representatives had confirmed there was no requirement for the Prime Minister to have declared the scholarship.
"The Clerk of the House has further advised that there are no obvious provisions in the Members' interests that would require the declaration of such a scholarship nor is there any reference in the more detailed notes provided to members for their guidance in making declarations that such scholarships need to be declared," said a statement.
Frances Abbott (right), pictured with sister Bridget, won a $60,000 scholarship to the Whitehouse Institute of Design. Picture by Robert Wallace/Splash News Source: Supplied
However, The Guardian today raised questions about the awarding of the scholarship and whether Mr Abbott should have declared it on his register of interests.
He had declared a gift of suits from Mr Taylor in February 2012 and April 2013.
"Members of Parliament are required to disclose gifts above specified threshold limits with additional requirements for ministers where a gift is retained," a statement from Mr Abbott's office read.
"Mr Abbott has known Mr Les Taylor for many years and when in Opposition, he received clothing from him as a gift.
"While gifts from personal friends do not require disclosure, for the avoidance of doubt, Mr Abbott elected to declare the clothing.
"While the exact cost of the gifts were not known, it was clear they were higher than the $300 threshold and were appropriately disclosed with Mr Abbott providing all the information required by an Opposition member."
Sisters Bridget and Frances (far right) with their parents Margie and Tony Abbott and Prince Harry. Source: Supplied
The statement confirmed Frances had won a chairman's scholarship and said this had been "based on her application and art portfolio".
"Under the Statement of Registrable Interests, a scholarship is not a gift, it is an award based on merit and disclosure is not required," the statement said.
"If alternative advice is provided, Mr Abbott will meet the amended requirements.
"Frances graduated with distinction-level results from Whitehouse in December 2013. She has since moved to Melbourne where she works for Whitehouse as a teacher's aide and hopes to study for her Masters later this year."
Institute director Leanne Whitehouse was quoted by The Guardian saying "Frances definitely was a student with us and received a chairman's scholarship".
The Guardian said Ms Whitehouse "declined to detail how many times the chairman's scholarship has been awarded previously, but the institute's website makes no references to the scholarship and states the institute 'does not currently offer scholarships to gain a place into the Bachelor of Design'."
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