Julie Bishop governor-general push: Labor vows to oppose plan

Bill Shorten has attempted to shut down plans to install Julie Bishop as the next governor-general.

Former minister for foreign affairs Julie Bishop speaks in Perth. Picture: AAP

Bill Shorten has attempted to shut down plans to install Julie Bishop as the next governor-general by demanding Scott Morrison extend Peter Cosgrove’s five-year term until after the next election.

The Opposition Leader yesterday wrote to the new Prime Minister to declare his opposition to Ms Bishop, who resigned as foreign minister on Sunday and moved to the backbench, amid suggestions she could be handed the coveted vice-regal role next year. Her supporters argue she would be an ideal candidate to replace Sir Peter, who is paid $425,000 a year, when his term expires next March.

Mr Shorten wants to make his own appointment if he wins the election, which is due by May.

“They’ve got rocks in their head if they think we’ll support Julie Bishop for governor-­general,” a Labor source said ­yesterday.

There are several precedents for a prime minister to appoint as governor-general an ex-foreign minister who is also a vanquished leadership rival. Bob Hawke appointed Bill Hayden as governor-general in 1989, six years after replacing him as Labor leader.

In 1965, Liberal Richard Casey was installed by Robert Menzies, his long-time leadership rival. Four years later, John Gorton appointed Paul Hasluck, who unsuccessfully contested the Liberal leadership after Harold Holt disappeared, as governor-general.

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Ms Bishop declined to answer questions when she appeared at a Perth function yesterday.

Earlier she said the Liberal Party leadership turmoil of the past week had been “personally devastating” for many people. She said she was aware of a WhatsApp trail that is alleged to have exposed Liberal MPs who were scaring her supporters into voting for Scott Morrison in the ballot.

“You would have to ask the individuals involved but it appeared to be a tactic to promote Peter Dutton into the prime ministership, whatever the cost,” Ms Bishop told The West Australian.

Mr Shorten yesterday wrote to Mr Morrison calling on him to grant Sir Peter a six-month extension to his term, to September 2019. “Congratulations on your election in the recent party room meeting,’’ Mr Shorten wrote.

“As you would know, General Cosgrove’s commission is due to end in March of 2019. Given that a general election must be held in or before May of next year, an extension to his term would allow an incoming Prime Minister to nominate to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II an appropriate successor and new Governor-General following the next election.

“Such an extension is within convention and would be supported by the Opposition.

“I look forward to your prompt response on this matter.”

A spokesman for Mr Morrison said the Prime Minister had yet to consider Mr Shorten’s letter as he was touring drought-affected western Queensland.

The governor-general’s term is for five years, but this is often extended for short periods.

Before he was replaced as prime minister last week, Malcolm Turnbull was said to be considering a number of possible candidates for governor-general. Among them were businessman David Gonski, High Court judges Susan Kiefel and Michelle Gordon, former military leaders Angus Houston and David Hurley, and former Liberal politicians Brendan Nelson, Nick Greiner and ­Alexander Downer.

The speculation about Ms Bishop has intensified since she resigned from cabinet on Sunday following her failed tilt at the Liberal Party leadership. Ms Bishop, who has been preselected for her ultra-safe seat of Curtin in Perth’s western suburbs, said on Sunday she had made no decision on whether to stay in politics.

The Australian Republic Movement said the speculation surrounding Ms Bishop reinforced its belief that the choice of governor-general should not be a pick of the prime minister.