Albanese said that while he sympathises with anyone who might be a victim of sexual harassment, it appears that Mal Brough is using the case to seek Liberal pre-selection. He added that Brough is after Slipper’s seat in the parliament.

Brough is a former minister of the Howard government. He admitted that he has met Ashby at least three times this year and even advised him to get legal and police assistance weeks before Ashby filed the case against Slipper.

Brough said it was Ashby who sought him out for advice. The former minister said he cautioned Ashby and told him that should be absolutely sure of what he is accusing the Speaker of. He also advised the former aid to go to the AFP and get legal counsel.

Brough, however, denied that he spoke with any opposition MPs. He said he also never discussed the Slipper case to any LNP staff.

Slipper is being accused by his former aide for sexual misconduct. Ashby said Slipper hired him with the intention of pursuing a sexual relation with the 33-year-old aide.

Ashby also claimed that Slipper sent him SMS messages with the letter X, which is a text-speak for kisses.

Because of pressures from different sectors of the government, Slipper has resigned from his post as Speaker. He, however, continued to deny the allegations and said he hopes to be back in the May budget deliberations.

High-earner individuals would have to pay 30 percent tax for their concessional super contributions. The move translates to a $1-billion savings for the government and would significantly aid in bringing the budget to surplus.

The changes in tax rate will take effect on May 8. Those who earn a taxable income of more than $300,000 will be affected. The number translates to about 1.2 percent of total workers who give contributions to their supper, roughly close to 130,000.

Minister for Superannuation Bill Shorten said that it is quite obvious that high-earning individuals benefit more for their super, most of them contributing to a smsf. To make the system fairer for the rest of Australian workers, the government wants to ensure that tax breaks for are imposed across income ranges.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has openly criticized the government for using family benefits to incite “class warfare.” Shorten, however, retaliates by saying the Abbott’s batting for the top 1 percent of has alienated and betrayed the rest of the Australia’s working families.

Some quarters have complained that the government use super when the budget is low. Industry observers also noted that it is the government’s way of distracting the public from scandals involving Speaker Peter Slipper.

The beleaguered Slipper has been accused of sexual misconduct towards a former staff named James Ashby. Slipper resigned from his post after calls intensified for him to vacate the post.

Slipper, however, continues to deny the allegations. He also hope he can join the May deliberation on the budget.

In a statement he released today, Slipper continues to deny the allegations made against him by former staff James Ashby. He also explained that because the allegations are criminal in nature, he believes that it is not appropriate for him to remain as Speaker.

Labor MP and Deputy Speaker Anna Burke is set to temporarily replace him as Speaker.

Former staff James Ashby filed a formal case again the Speaker. He accused Slipper for making unwanted sexual advances against him, including sending him inappropriate text messages, asking him to massage Slipper, and hiring him specifically to pursue an intimate relationship with the Speaker.

Calls have been growing for Slipper to resign. Earlier, Opposition leader Eric Abetz said Slipper must be removed from parliament. Treasurer Wayne Swan, however, was quick to pacify disgruntled quarters. Swan said that everyone is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. He told the ABC Television that there is a need to respect the legal proceedings.

Swan also fired back at the Opposition, saying the group is using the issue to distract the public from the economic debate.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott, meanwhile, echoed Abetz’s sentiments, saying Prime Minister Julia Gillard should be proactive in restoring the parliament’s integrity. He added that the Prime Minister should make it clear that Slipper that he needs to resign.

Abbot added that Gillard has been washing her hands especially in the case of Craig Thomson, who is under fire for alleged financial mismanagement in Health Services Union.