Julie Bishop draws the curtain

Julie Bishop was the first woman to be Australia’s foreign minister and to contest the Liberal Party leadership. She is a role model for women in public life and represented us with distinction and grace in global forums. Ms Bishop was a steely and passionate advocate, especially in seeking justice for the victims of Flight MH17 and their families after the Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down in July 2014. The New Colombo Plan for students to build personal networks in the Indo-Pacific is her “soft power” legacy.

As the member for the safe seat of Curtin, in Perth, for more than 20 years, Ms Bishop was easily the most sought after election campaigner for Liberal candidates in marginal seats and the party’s star fundraiser. She was deputy Liberal leader from the low of the election defeat of John Howard in 2007 to the torrid partyroom end of Malcolm Turnbull’s tenure last August. Ms Bishop attracted only 11 votes in the spill, behind Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton. She quit cabinet, in spite of the Prime Minister’s desire for stability and to keep her as foreign minister. Her inability to gain the support of Liberal MPs must have been crushing. Yet Ms Bishop’s earlier missteps as opposition Treasury spokeswoman raised doubts about her ability to ascend to the top job. Foreign policy experts were also dismayed when she criticised the US for pulling out of the plan of action to limit Iran’s nuclear program and for her stewardship of our relationship with Beijing, put in the “freezer” after strong comments on China’s actions in the South China Sea and human rights.

After yesterday’s announcement in parliament that she was retiring, Ms Bishop elicited high praise from Mr Morrison and Bill Shorten. She was a trailblazing diplomat, a faithful servant to her nation, party and community.