Leaks WhatsApp thread exposes betrayal of Julie Bishop

MATHIAS Cormann has hit back at a WhatsApp thread showing Julie Bishop was the victim of cruel tactics in last week’s vote.

A LEAKED WhatsApp thread shows former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was a victim of cruel tactics in last week’s leadership vote.

The messages between senior Liberal MPs, broadcast on ABC’s Insiders, show politicians were encouraged not to vote for Ms Bishop in the party room ballot even if they wanted to.

Leaked screenshots from the group titled “friends for stability” allege Mathias Cormann, whose support of Peter Dutton was pivotal in securing the leadership spill, had secured votes for Ms Bishop in order to keep Scott Morrison out of the race.

But the conversation between Morrison supporters shows politicians were encouraged to vote for Mr Morrison over Ms Bishop in the first round.

“Cormann rumoured to be putting some WA votes behind Julie Bishop in round 1,” a message purporting to be from Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher broadcast on Insiders read.

“Be aware that this is a ruse trying to get her ahead of Morrison so he drops out and his votes to Dutton.

“Despite our hearts tugging us to Julie we need to vote with our heads for Scott in round one.”

But in a statement to news.com.au, Mr Cormann said he did no such thing.

“This is 100% incorrect,” Senator Cormann said in his response.

WhatsApp messages leaked to Insiders shows votes were directed away from Julie Bishop. Picture: ABC

Julie Bishop announced her resignation shortly after the messages were broadcast. Picture: ABC

The ABC also broadcast the names of MPs subscribed to the WhatsApp group. Picture: ABC

Participants in the thread expressed some concern for the Foreign Minister, with one suggesting “Someone should tell Julie”.

A message apparently sent by Christopher Pyne read: “I have.”

“Very respectfully,” he added.

Mr Bishop was knocked out in the first round of voting in what was a three-way battle for the leadership between her, Mr Morrison and Mr Dutton.

She received only 11 votes in the first round, including from ousted prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. None of the votes came from West Australians.

Insiders host Barrie Cassidy, who revealed the messages, said Ms Bishop was “entitled to be embarrassed and angry”.

“In the end, she was a victim of tactics and I suppose that helps to explain why she’s less than impressed with her colleagues,” he said.

Julie Bishop announced her resignation shortly after the messages were made public. Picture: Richard Hatherly

Education Minister Simon Birmingham, whose name was on the WhatsApp thread, told Cassidy Ms Bishop was “the most significant woman in the history of the Liberal Party”.

“We would love to see Julie continue, but that really is up to Julie,” he said. “We will all respect whatever decision she makes.”

Ms Bishop announced her resignation as Foreign Affairs Minister on Sunday afternoon, shortly after the damning messages were revealed.

Today we have lost Australia’s finest Foreign Minister @JulieBishopMP I thank Julie for her loyalty and friendship over many years but especially as my Deputy. She has been and remains an inspiring role model for women here and around the world.

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) August 26, 2018

She said in a statement she would remain on the back bench “as a strong voice for Western Australia”. She said she had made no decision as to whether she would remain in parliament following the next election.

She will be replaced as Foreign Minister by Marise Payne.

Mr Turnbull paid tribute to Ms Bishop on Twitter, calling her “Australia’s finest Foreign Minister” and “an inspiring role model for women”.

Julie Bishop resigns as Foreign Minister of Australia in a statement.