Julie Bishop ‘wants to prove herself in private sector’, sister says

Julie Bishop refused to become SA governor to be something other than a “glamorous public servant”.

Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop signed last week with Sydney firm Claxton Speakers International. Picture Kym Smith

Julie Bishop declined an offer to become South Australia’s next governor because she wants to “prove herself in the free market”, the former foreign minister’s sister has revealed.

MaryLou Bishop said the informal offer in September — just weeks after Ms Bishop’s bid to become Liberal leader failed — from South Australian Premier Steven Marshall was immediately rejected because her sister wanted to focus on the private sector.

“Right from the word go, she said ‘I do not want the job’,” MaryLou told ABC radio this morning.

“I would’ve loved for her to become governor, she would have done an amazing job.”

The Australian today revealed that Adelaide-born Ms Bishop had been in talks with Mr Marshall about the potential for her to replace Governor Hieu Van Le later this year in the $315,000-a-year role.

MaryLou said Ms Bishop wanted to “prove herself in the free market, in private enterprise”.

“She has another career ahead of her,” MaryLou said.

“She would’ve been a public servant (if she became governor), it might be a glamorous public servant, but nevertheless you are answerable to the government of the day.”

MaryLou said Ms Bishop’s political career had resulted in her being “constrained by the (Liberal) party”.

“Your true thoughts don’t came to the fore,” she said.

“I think let her fly, let her do what she has to do, let’s put another governor in place, and perhaps come back to her in 10 years’ time when she’s in her early 70s.”

Ms Bishop was angry with her Liberal colleagues after she receive­d only a handful of votes in the last year’s leadership ballot that saw Scott Morrison become prime minister.

Ms Bishop signed last week with Sydney firm Claxton Speakers International to manage the growing number of requests from organisations that want her to speak at events and conferences.

It is understood that Ms Bishop will be able to charge tens of thousands of dollars for a single speech.

While she could be paid up to $50,000 per engagement in Aust­ralia, this could increase markedly for overseas events.

Ms Bishop said she planned to speak about topics including foreign policy, her personal journey, leadership, global challenges and the fourth industrial revolution.

Earlier this month, Ms Bishop spoke at an Adelaide event organised by her sister, who is a councillor in the up-market inner-northeastern suburb of Walkerville.

“I don’t think anyone will get her speaking for $100 a ticket again,” MaryLou said.

A spokeswoman for Mr Marshall said there was “no doubt Julie Bishop is a great South Australian”.

Julie Bishop, left, with her sister MaryLou Bishop. Picture: Supplied