Special Minister of State Michael Ronaldson said it best after he was asked how politicians' dodgy travel claims would be investigated under the new, supposedly tough, rules.

''Nothing has changed in that regard,'' he said.

And nothing has changed. As Senator Ronaldson acknowledged, the point of the government's announcement was to send a message to parliamentarians, and to the public.

''What these strengthening measures are doing today is making it very, very, very clear to the Australian community that, if someone is not travelling in their capacity as an elected representative, then they will not be travelling at taxpayer expense,'' he said.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who just a month ago said he would not change the system, has now offered a Clayton's solution to widespread public anger about politicians' use of taxpayer-funded entitlements.