Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop did not contribute to a politicians' entitlements review prompted by her "Choppergate" scandal, an ABC Freedom of Information inquiry has revealed.

Key points: Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop claimed $5,000 helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong

Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop claimed $5,000 helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong Trip prompted review of politicians entitlements

Trip prompted review of politicians entitlements Review recommended restricting limousine, helicopter travel

The review, handed down yesterday, warned MPs not to take helicopter trips over short distances and recommended replacing the word "entitlements" with "work expenses".

Mrs Bishop, who resigned as speaker after billing taxpayers $5,000 for an 80-kilometre charter flight between Melbourne and Geelong, did not make a submission, FOI documents reveal.

"I think the nicest thing that can be said is that Bronwyn Bishop displayed real wisdom in not making a submission to the inquiry," independent senator Nick Xenophon said.

"It's a pity that that wisdom wasn't on display when she decided to hire the helicopter."

The investigation found that of Australia's 226 MPs and senators, only 10 submissions from federal politicians were made to the inquiry, including one submission with six signatories — a figure Mr Xenophon described as "surprising".

Bishop submission 'wasn't necessary'

Mrs Bishop's flight to the Clifton Springs Golf Club — and refusal to apologise when it emerged — cost her the speakership and led to former prime minister Tony Abbott ordering the entitlements review last August.

When asked why she chose not make a submission a spokesman said: "It wasn't necessary."

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Senator Xenophon said the report did not go far enough, saying penalties for wrongful claims needed to be much higher.

Last year he proposed the penalty for wrongly claiming expenses should be 200 per cent payback, and 400 per cent for repeat offenders, up from 25 per cent currently.

"I just hope that the recommendations are not only implemented but strengthened in due course with real sanctions, real penalties to sharpen the thinking of all MPs before they claim taxpayers money," he said.

"These recommendations pick up some elements of the bill I introduced last August but quite simply don't go far enough for public confidence in the system of MPs entitlements and expenses to be restored."

The independent panel made 36 recommendations, which Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the Government supported in principle.

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