Julie Bishop pulls out of Portsea Polo

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop says she was never a confirmed guest at today’s prestigious Portsea Polo. But her suspicious no-show is raising eyebrows.

Julie Bishop at last year’s Portsea Polo. Picture: Julian Smith/AAP

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop has been a last minute no-show at today’s prestigious Portsea Polo.

Ms Bishop and her partner David Panton were listed as guests at the Alfa Romeo marquee however sources this morning confirmed the couple would no longer be attending. The foreign minister’s absense comes after it was revealed earlier this week she attended last year’s event in melbourne using taxpayer money.

Ms Bishop’s has attributed her no-show to her need stay in Sydney for the visit of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Despite the inclusion of Ms Bishop and Mr Panton’s names on the guest list at the Alfa Romeo marquee, her office maintains she was never a confirmed guest at the event.

And while the visit of Mr Abe in Sydney is being cited as the reason she was never attending the event, Fairfax Media reports international fashion brand Hugo Boss had agreed to dress Ms Bishop for the glamorous summer function.

“Earlier in the week it had been her intention to attend the event,” a public relations company involved with the event told Fairfax Media. “She was attending as a guest of one of the key sponsors.”

Portsea Polo program. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Ms Bishop came under scrutiny recently when it was revealed she billed taxpayers for her travel to the event last year.

Politicians and their liberal use of travel entitlements has been a hot topic in recent days with Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley stepping down yesterday following a string of revelations about her expenses.

While Ms Bishop was absent from the glamorous gathering, she still had a presence at the event.

A photo of her and Mr Panton enjoying last year’s event was prominently displayed in the official Portsea Polo program.

Originally published as Julie Bishop pulls out of Portsea Polo