SA-born Julie Bishop, the most successful woman in the history of the Liberal Party quits politics

The most successful woman in the history of the Liberal Party announced her retirement from politics, saying she was confident the Morrison Government would win the next election. SPECIAL GALLERY: Julie Bishop’s wild political and private life

• Julie Bishop retires from politics
• Julie Bishop’s best moments
• The hole Julie Bishop leaves behind

The most successful woman in the history of the Liberal Party announced her retirement from politics on Thursday, saying she was confident the Morrison Government would win the next election.

Julie Bishop, 62, former Foreign Minister and deputy to four Liberal leaders, ended her 20-year career with a short, surprise speech after Question Time.

Julie Bishop in her family’s orchard in the Hills at 15.

The former Perth lawyer, who grew up in the Adelaide Hills, told the House she was proud to have been Australia’s first female foreign minister and the first female deputy leader of the Liberal Party.

“I am also proud of the fact that I am the first woman to contest the leadership ballot of the Liberal Party in its 75-year history,” she said.

Ms Bishop attacked Labor for having “learned nothing from its past failings” and said she hoped her safe West Australian seat of Curtin, which she won in her seventh election in 2016 with a primary vote of 65.6 per cent, might go to a woman. Her exit follows three senior government ministers recently announcing they will not contest the next election, expected in May.

Julie Bishop’s wild political and private life

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Known for her death stare, flashy earrings and expensive shoes, the popular former head girl of Adelaide’s St Peter’s Girls’ School is regarded by fans as the best leader the Liberal party never had.

But she was also criticised for her penchant for attending celebrity parties, including TV star Karl Stefanovic’s lavish Mexican wedding last year.

Ms Bishop resigned from the front bench after the coup against Malcolm Turnbull last August, having won just 11 votes from colleagues in her bid to be elected Liberal leader, despite opinion polls consistently showing her to be the most popular candidate.

Julie Bishop arrives with PM Scott Morrison for Question Time in Parliament on Thursday ahead of her announcement. Picture: Kym Smith

She was elected deputy Liberal leader in 2007, a job she retained through three leadership changes, earning her the moniker “cockroach” and “Lady Macbeth” from enemies in the party, who accused her of leaking against Tony Abbott.

On Thursday, she walked out of the House before Prime Minister Scott Morrison stood to pay tribute to her.

“Julie is a Liberal through and through … an unbelievably classy individual,” he said.

Ms Bishop’s sister, Marylou Bishop, who lives in Walkerville, said her younger sister was “gracious ’til the end”.

She said her sister had been a trailblazer and inspiration for all women. “She is a symbol of what can be achieved in a very tough world,” Ms Bishop said.

Julie Bishop in Parliament as former PM John Howard’s minister for ageing. She served as deputy to four Liberal leaders.

The Walkerville councillor, who works in the medical industry, was told on Wednesday night about the retirement.

Sitting in her car outside of Flinders Medical Centre, she watched her sister’s speech — in which she paid tribute to her sisters — on her phone.

“Julie, by not winning the leadership, she saved her soul,” she said. “I’m glad she is starting to put herself first.”

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop delivers a statement to the Security Council in New York during a resolution on the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

Marylou was brought to tears talking to The Advertiser about Julie’s achievements, especially her involvement in the fight for justice over the shooting down of Flight MH17 in 2014, which led to a Dutch foreign ministry order of merit.

“Europeans and the people overseas have a far greater appreciation of my sister than the Australians, not only for us but for them,” she said.

“That was one of Julie’s finest hours. She may not agree but I thought she was amazing. It was Julie’s birthday and that was the day MH17 was shot out of the sky. She left Australia with no clothes, and we all know how important clothes are to her.”

The pair will celebrate in Adelaide on the Adelaide Cup weekend: “I love her and adore her and am very proud of her.”