Julie Bishop attends NGV Gala with rumoured beau

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop stepped out in a stunning black dress as she attended the glamorous event.

Julie Bishop and Luke Hepworth have attended a string of ritzy events together in recent months. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Julie Bishop has been photographed at another glamorous event with “adventure philanthropist” and rumoured beau Luke Hepworth.

The former foreign minister and Liberal leader attended the 2022 National Gallery of Victoria Gala in Melbourne on Saturday with the Sydney-based entrepreneur.

Ms Bishop, 66, wore a long black dress with puff sleeves which she paired with rhinestone accessories, with Mr Hepworth also donning an all-black ensemble.

It was the latest in a string of events Ms Bishop and Mr Hepworth have gone to as a duo and further fuels speculation the pair are in a relationship.

Julie Bishop and Luke Hepworth on the red carpet at the National Gallery of Victoria. Picture: Ian Currie

The NGV Gala comes less than a fortnight after Ms Bishop and Mr Hepworth attended another ritzy event together.

The pair posed for photos together at an event hosted by champagne house Moet & Chandon at Sydney Harbour on December 1.

Mr Hepworth has posted several photos of Ms Bishop and him at recent events together on his Instagram account.

Rumours Ms Bishop and Mr Hepworth are dating have been swirling for months and intensified when the duo appeared together at the Perth Telethon on October 22.

Ms Bishop and Mr Hepworth both wore black. Picture: Sam Tabone/Getty Images for NGV)

The former Curtin MP retired from federal politics in 2019. Picture: Sam Tabone/Getty Images for NGV

Mr Hepworth has previously shut down rumours he and Ms Bishop are an item and insisted they are just friends.

“We are working on a charity project for the Children’s Cancer Institute. We are definitely not dating, mate,” he told The Daily Telegraph in November.

“I am not in a relationship.

“She is just a good friend of mine and a wonderful human, so we have been to a couple of charity events.”

Ms Bishop separated from her former partner, Sydney property developer David Panton, in July after eight years together.

The former Curtin MP retired from federal politics in 2019.

Ms Bishop has since pursued roles in the private sector and has served as the Vice Chancellor of The Australian National University in Canberra.

Ms Bishop will commence a second four-year term as chancellor in 2023.

Originally published as Julie Bishop attends NGV Gala with rumoured beau