Health Minister Susan Ley stepped down from her ministry while the investigation about her controversial taxpayer-funded travel.
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Martin Parkinson, would administer an investigation into Ms Ley's use of taxpayer-funded entitlements, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Monday.
Miss Ley would stand aside without ministerial pay while the investigation was conducted.
In May 2015, Miss Ley has come under fire for buying an $800,000 apartment on a taxpayer-funded trip to the Gold Coast.
It has also been found out that she has been in and out of the Gold Coast over recent years. And two trips over the New Year's Eve period.
In her first appearance after her entitlements attracted controversy, a resistant Miss Ley described the issue as a distraction and expects that she will quickly resume her ministerial duties.
Miss Ley said regarding the investigation that she has nothing to hide and that she has not violated any rules.
But Sunday, Sussan Ley apologized about the error of judgment she made billing taxpayers and purchasing the apartment. She also asked the department of Finance to investigate her travel to the Gold Coast.
In the mean time, while Dr Parkinson completes his investigation, Mr Turnbull's cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos will be the acting Minister for Health, Sport and Aged Care.
Turnbull said that the secretary will thoroughly investigate the travel claims and Susan Ley has assured him that she will promptly provide all information and assistance sought by the secretary for the purpose of this investigation.
According to the The Age, Turnbull added that Australians expect the government to take this kind of issues seriously. And that he expects thorough highest standard from his ministers.
On the other hand acting Opposition Leader Penny Wong said, Susan Ley's decision of standing aside is a response from a weak minister.
She added that Turnbull and Ley agree that Susan Ley has breached the ministerial standards which are expected of her.
According to the ABC News, Susan Ley said that her partner drew her attention to an auction. That the purchase of the apartment was not intentional nor planned matter.
Susan Ley defended herself and said that all she has done was for the betterment of the government's agenda.
