‘The most challenging five years of my life’: Julie Bishop reflects on her time as Foreign Minister at an International Women’s Day event – but remains VERY tight-lipped on her plans after politics
- The ex-foreign minister Julie Bishop reflected on her time as foreign minister
- She revealed she always harboured ambitions to take on the cabinet position
- But she kept plans secret as politics frowned on expressing one’s aims overtly
- She also sought to play down rumours she may take on an ambassadorial role
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has reflected on her time as foreign minister, but she remains tight-lipped on her life after politics.
Ms Bishop’s appearance at an event for International Women’s Day came after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk lauded the Liberal MP the day before for her achievements.
Speaking at the lunchtime event on Thursday, she played down rumours she may take on an ambassadorial role for the government.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop (pictured right with partner David Panton) has reflected on her time as foreign minister, but remains tight-lipped on her life after politics
Ms Bishop, who has returned to life as a West Australian backbencher since resigning from her cabinet position, said she already was occupied with similar responsibilities.
The 62-year-old has been an ambassador for Ocean Respect Racing advocating for woman in sport since November.
She also conducts ambassadorial responsibilities for charity Witchery’s White Shirt as part of their 2019 campaign to develop earlier tests for ovarian cancer.
Reflecting on her time in Canberra’s inner circle, she described her appearance as an ‘absolute honour’.
‘It was the most challenging five years of my life but I wouldn’t change any of it,’ she said according to The Daily Telegraph.
She also revealed at the event she had always harboured ambitions to be foreign minister, but kept them under wraps.
Ms Bishop’s (pictured centre at meeting in Perth last month) appearance at an event for International Women’s Day came after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk lauded the Liberal MP the day before for her achievements
‘In politics, it’s frowned upon to wear your ambition on your sleeve,’ she said.
Her appearance at the VIP event follows Premier Palaszczuk’s criticism of the public’s focus on Ms Bishop’s outfits, rather than her accomplishments.
Ms Palaszczuk referred to a comment by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the time of Ms Bishop’s resignation in which he said ‘her successor will have big shoes to fill, but we all know that Julie had the best shoes in parliament’.
‘Let me say to each and every one of you here today: It’s not the shoes that you stand in, it’s what you as an individual stand for,’ Ms Palaszczuk said to rousing applause at the event in Brisbane.