Speaker Peter Slipper flies in for vote on his future

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Australian Federal Police should investigate sexual harassment allegations against House of Representatives Speaker Peter Slipper.
A political row has erupted over the future of Mr Slipper, who is returning to Australia from Los Angeles denying the allegations made by former staffer James Ashby.
Mr Ashby, 33, launched legal action in the Federal Court on Friday claiming he was continually harassed by Mr Slipper since he began working for him in December last year.
The Sunshine Coast MP is also accused of misusing taxpayer-funded Cabcharges.
Mr Abbott says the allegations are "extremely serious".
"It is very important that the Prime Minister act swiftly to require the Speaker to step aside," he said.
"And it is very important that the Australian Federal Police quickly investigate these matters so that they can be resolved as soon as humanly possible."


Government sources also claim Prime Minister Julia Gillard would not be forced to an early election, even if Mr Slipper were removed. Mr Slipper, who is travelling home from New York, told The Sunday Telegraph: "The allegations are denied".


Coalition sources confirmed Tony Abbott would seek the support of independent MPs to oust Mr Slipper when Parliament resumes on May 8.


Mr Abbott and key independent MP Andrew Wilkie called for Mr Slipper to step aside.


"Yes, the Speaker is entitled to the presumption of innocence but he does have quite a lot of explaining to do," Mr Abbott said.


Mr Slipper, an MP from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, resigned from the Liberal-National coalition to take the Speaker's chair as an independent in November.


His defection stripped one vote from the Coalition, shoring up Labor's parliamentary numbers - but the advantage was lost when Mr Wilkie withdrew his vote, angry at the PM's dumping of her promise to deliver poker machine reform.Coalition sources warned the scandal could yet spark a constitutional crisis.


Mr Ashby's statement of claim also includes the allegation that the former Howard Coalition government was aware of earlier claims of sexual misconduct involving Mr Slipper and another young male adviser.


Labor's Leader of the House, Anthony Albanese, described Mr Slipper as a "good Speaker" yesterday.


"There aren't allegations against anyone in the government; these are legal proceedings which have begun," Mr Albanese said. "It isn't appropriate to comment on the detail of legal proceedings, of which I would have no knowledge.""I think it's a good idea the Federal Police be allowed to determine his actions as well, free of political interference."


Mr Wilkie said it was "quite improper for him to continue to occupy the Speaker's chair until this matter is resolved."

"I'm not saying he's guilty," Mr Wilkie said. "I would hope it doesn't come to that, forcing Peter Slipper's removal from the Speaker's chair."


Mr Wilkie added: "Let's not forget the government only thrust Peter Slipper into the Speaker's role in a cynical move to head off meaningful poker machine reform."