Outgoing speaker Anna Burke may be ''bitter and twisted'' about Labor's frontbench arrangements, but she is full of practical advice to new parliamentarians on how to be an MP.
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At the start of a two-day induction for 38 new lower-house MPs elected on September 7, Ms Burke firmly instructed the group not to overload themselves, to get used to speaking to ''nobody'' and not to claim expenses to attend weddings.
In a sign that the new MPs have a lot to learn about their new jobs, new independent MP Cathy McGowan appeared to slip up early - tweeting a picture of herself on the floor of the House while listening to Ms Burke.
It is forbidden for anyone other than accredited photographers to take pictures of MPs in the house.
Fairfax Media understands that Ms Gowan will not be reprimanded, however, in light of the fact that MPs have only just begun their induction.
In the advice session that went for more than 30 minutes, Ms Burke spoke candidly to the new group, despite the fact she was addressing them from the sombre surrounds of the House of Representatives.
She began by telling MPs to be proud of their achievement - as only 1133 people have ever been elected to the House of Representatives.
In a veiled reference to her Monday comments criticising the opportunities for women in Parliament - after she failed to secure a spot on Labor's frontbench - Ms Burke added: ''Of course, a lot less of that [1133-person] group were females. So if you're [a] female elected, feel even doubly proud.''
The outgoing speaker was frank about the pressures that MPs face, noting that when she was Speaker she received a lot of comments about her hair - with members of the public unflatteringly comparing it to Justin Bieber's coif.
''Used to drive me nuts,'' she said.
''Why I'd be channelling the Bieb is beyond me. Even my kids don't like the Bieb.''
Ms Burke explained that she simply had not had the time to get a haircut.
''The moral of the story is, just remember yourself in this process.''
Ms Burke also lamented that MPs are always on duty, recalling that voters had once recognised her while in her swimsuit on a southern NSW beach.
The member for the Victorian seat of Chisholm instructed MPs to get out of their Parliament House office to visit the gym, the cafe or the library.
''I reckon you could die in your office in this building and nobody would know.''
Other advice during the session including fashion tips – T-shirts are not acceptable in the chamber - and public speaking guidance: get used to giving a speech to ''nobody'' in an empty chamber, but remember, the 24-hour news channels are always listening.
Ms Burke observed that juggling family life with political work is tough and that the hours can be punishing. She encouraged the group to make use of their entitlements - to join the chairman's lounge at the airport and bring their families to Canberra as much as they could.
''Doing this job can cost you money,'' she said, but instructed them firmly to ''declare everything''.
''If you're confused, there's people to ring and ask.''
Ms Burke didn't miss the chance to make a dig at the slew of senior Coalition MPs who have recently been criticised for claiming taxpayer funds to attend weddings.
''If it's genuine - you've incurred the cost for your work-related purposes, claim it. If it's going to a wedding, I'll be very controversial, don't. It's not work, regardless of what anybody says.''
The group of new MPs in Canberra also includes Fiona Scott, the Liberal member for Lindsay, and Joanne Ryan, elected in Lalor to replace Julia Gillard - but does not include a representative for Fairfax.
A separate induction session will be conducted for the eventual winner out of businessman Clive Palmer and the Liberal National Party's Ted O'Brien, once the AEC complete a recount.
