Julie Bishop to quit politics, confident of Coalition win at next election

Julie Bishop has told parliament it is safe for her to pass on the seat of Curtin at the next election.

Julie Bishop resigns after Question Time in the House of Representatives today. Picture: Kym Smith

Julie Bishop has told the parliament that she will not run at the next election.

Ms Bishop said she was resigning because she was “confident” Scott Morrison would win the next election and it was safe to pass on her ultra-safe seat to the next generation.

“I have had the opportunity to closely consider the future of the Coalition government, and the pending general election. I have closely observed Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Liberal national team in the Parliament,” she said.

“It is evident that the policy platform that we will take to the next election is crystallising based on the very firm foundations of our unrelenting focus on prudent management of our national finances, so that we can afford the services that Australians need. In returning the budget to surplus.

The Curtin close, @JulieBishopMP #auspol #ParliamentElections2019 #Elections2019 pic.twitter.com/q4MjBPCbgF

— Eric Löbbecke (@hthtdraws) February 21, 2019

“It is thus my view that the Liberal National Coalition will win the next election.

“And on that basis, I have reconsidered my position as the Member for Curtin. I have been contacted by a number of talented, indeed extraordinary, people, including

women, who have indicated to me that should I not reconsider the seat of Curtin, they would seek preselection from the Curtin division of the Liberal Party for that seat.”

“It is time for a new member to take my place.”

After 20 years, the long-serving deputy Liberal leader and foreign minister had earlier confirmed to colleagues that she would not contest the next election.

Ms Bishop listed her achievements as the first female foreign minister, the first female deputy Liberal leader, and the first woman to contest for the Liberal leadership.

Killer stare, killer heels: the Julie Bishop years

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“And I am so very proud that my successor, Senator Marise Payne, will be, and is, the second female Foreign Minister of Australia,” she said.

“My five years as Foreign Minister were a particular privilege — being able to represent Australia on the world stage.

“We should be so proud of our reputation and the high regard in which we are held as a nation. An open liberal democracy, committed to freedoms and the rule of law, and democratic institutions, an open, highly competitive export-oriented market economy.”

Ms Bishop thanked all of the prime ministers she has served — John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.

“I thank the Liberal Party of Australia, my division of Curtin, the state division, my colleagues, past and present in this place,” she said.

“And the Liberal Party members across Australia and living overseas everywhere, for the remarkable opportunity they have afforded me to be a member of the House of Representatives since 1998.”

Ms Bishop said she would leave parliament “positive’’ about its future.

“I will leave this place positive about the future, proud of the service that I have been able to give to my electric of Curtin, my beloved Liberal Party, the state of Western Australia, and my country,” she said.

Liberal MP Julie Bishop, left, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison walk into Question Time today. Picture: Getty Images

The parliament rose to applaud her.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison thanked Ms Bishop for her “tremendous service.”

“Julie is a Liberal through and through and she has always held fast to those important liberal principles,” she said.

“We share many things in common, not just thinking that Tina Arena is the best female singer in the country, but apart from that Mr Speaker, her passion that she has always brought to her role, the dignity and grace that she is demonstrated in every single role she has held, she is an incredibly classy individual as we remarked in our own party room, some go there.

“Her successor will have big shoes to fill and we know that Julie has the best shoes.”

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Ms Bishop’s departure from parliament is the “end of an era.”

“The Member for Curtin left and she started, with a fierce attack on the Labor Party, fair enough, she loved the Liberal Party,” he said.

“I think about a time when as Foreign Minister, and MH-17 was shot out of

the skies, and this terrible tragedy and murder that it was.

“If any of us were ever to be privileged to be in the position she was in, dealing with the Russians and other people, I hope that any of us would show the same strength she showed and she did and that is to her credit.”

Malcolm Turnbull thanked Ms Bishop for her service and said that she was Australia’s “finest foreign minister.”

“Thank you @JulieBishopMP for your service to our nation and our Party and, above all, your friendship over so many years,” he tweets.

“You have been our finest Foreign Minister - eloquent, elegant and always courageous advancing our national interest in these challenging times.”

Thank you @JulieBishopMP for your service to our nation and our Party and, above all, your friendship over so many years. You have been our finest Foreign Minister - eloquent, elegant and always courageous advancing our national interest in these challenging times.

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) February 21, 2019

Ms Bishop’s retirement from politics had been expected since she was defeated in the leadership ballot and moved to the backbench, when Malcolm Turnbull was removed as leader.

Thank you @JulieBishopMP for your 20+ years service to Australia, as a MP and Minister, and to the Liberal Party. You’ve been a star of the @LiberalAus team and we wish you all the best. pic.twitter.com/nWsgpJEfbU

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 21, 2019