Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne say farewell with their signature flair
Two of federal parliament’s most colourful MPs left the building for the last time yesterday — former foreign minister Julie Bishop strutting out in signature fabulous heels and former defence minister Christopher Pyne treating colleagues to a final dose of his wit and wisdom.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop strutted out of parliament for the final time in style yesterday in a sparkling pair of Sophia Webster heels.
But it was an otherwise low-key day for the retiring former deputy Liberal leader as she packed up her office having already given her valedictory speech during the last sitting of parliament.
When asked what she planned to do next, the MP for Curtin simply replied with a smile: “Who knows.”
Ms Bishop was also wearing a pair of her signature pearl drop earrings, adding an extra touch of glamour to her otherwise conservative outfit.
Earlier in the week Ms Bishop fondly recalled sitting in the party room when Peter Costello announced the Howard government had paid off Labor’s debt.
Comparing it to this week’s Budget, she said it had taken Mr Costello 11 years to return to surplus but it only took Labor two years to put the budget back in the red.
Ms Bishop was first elected to the WA seat of Curtin in 1998 after a successful law career. She will be replaced in the electorate by Liberal candidate and university vice-chancellor Celia Hammond.
Meanwhile, her colourful Coalition veteran Christopher Pyne entertained his parliamentary colleagues in his final speech in typically witty style, telling of a “thirst-world problem”.
Despite drawing laughs from the entire Lower House, the veteran South Australian MP, Liberal minister and Leader of the House also shed a few tears and managed a few hugs after his exit statement, ahead of stepping down at the next election after almost 27 years in federal politics.
The man known as “The Fixer” admitted to having a “fortunate life”, after quoting former US president Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous line about the “test of our progress” being “whether we provide enough for those who have little”.
“I do not have a log cabin story like so many people in this place, but I once did have to get my own lemon for a gin and tonic,” he quipped. “That may or may not qualify.”
With nine election wins under his belt, the Liberal moderate faction powerbroker said he was going to “miss the stage” and his fellow MPs. “This place brings out the best of us and the worst in us,” Mr Pyne said.
“I’ve seen some truly dreadful people come through here over the past quarter of a century, Mr Speaker. It is true.”
Since 1993, he was a backbencher for 10 years and a frontbencher for 16, including six years in cabinet.
He arrived on the parliamentary stage as an ambitious 25-year-old MP after enduring a bruising preselection battle to take the seat of Sturt.
Since then he has drawn attention for a colourful approach to politics which at times drew from his capacity for showmanship, ruthlessness and sheer cunning.
He earned his moniker after describing himself on Sky News in 2015 as “the fixer” who somehow wrangled a $150 million funding boost to get higher education reforms through a troublesome senate.
He refused to reveal the source of the funds, saying: “I want to make it a surprise.”
The Defence Minister (pictured) also used his final speech to pay a special tribute to Australia’s military personnel.
“To be a minister for defence is to see Australians at their best,” he said.
Mr Pyne expressed confidence that PM Scott Morrison would win the election and his replacement in Sturt, James Stevens, would retain the seat.
“I’ve relished the opportunity — thank you, goodbye and good luck,” he said, fighting back tears.
His Labor counterpart, Tony Burke, paid tribute to him. “The Leader of the House is someone who has always loved the parliament,” he said.
Originally published as Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne say farewell with their signature flair
‘Hijack’ fear: Jewish leader’s Sydney Biennale warning
A prominent Jewish leader has called on governments “not to be naive” as speculation mounts that Australia’s largest arts festival in Sydney next year will be hijacked as a platform for pro-Palestinian activism.
Shock twist: Drug pilot’s case of history repeating
A pilot jailed for flying a small plane into Australia full of drugs did the same thing a decade earlier under a different name but escaped prison because the court heard he had cancer. See the latest twist to this story.