Julie Bishop

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Julie Bishop
BornJulie Isabel Bishop
7/17/1956
BirthplaceLobethal, South Australia
NationalityAustralian
OccupationPolitician, diplomat, lawyer, university chancellor
TitleUnited Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar
Known forFirst female Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, first female Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chancellor of the Australian National University
EducationUniversity of Adelaide
AwardsCompanion of the Order of Australia

Julie Isabel Bishop (born 17 July 1956) is an Australian former politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2018 and as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia from 2007 to 2018. A member of the House of Representatives for the Division of Curtin in Perth's western suburbs from 1998 to 2019, Bishop held several ministerial portfolios under Prime Minister John Howard, including Minister for Ageing, Minister for Education and Science, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues. She was the first woman to serve as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and the first woman to serve as Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs. Since January 2020, she has served as Chancellor of the Australian National University, the first woman to hold that position. In April 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Bishop as his Special Envoy on Myanmar, a role in which she has advocated for an inclusive and peaceful resolution to the crisis in that country.[1] Over a political career spanning more than two decades, Bishop established herself as one of the most prominent figures in Australian conservative politics, serving under four different Liberal Party leaders during her time as deputy and navigating some of the most consequential foreign policy challenges of her era.

Early Life

Julie Isabel Bishop was born on 17 July 1956 in Lobethal, a small town in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia.[2] Details of her early family life in publicly available sources are limited. She grew up in South Australia before pursuing tertiary education at the University of Adelaide, where she studied law.

Prior to entering politics, Bishop built a career as a commercial lawyer in Perth, Western Australia. She rose to become the local managing partner of Clayton Utz, one of Australia's largest law firms. Her legal career later attracted scrutiny, particularly regarding her involvement in cases related to asbestos litigation. In 2012, Bishop addressed the controversy directly, stating that she had been "advised by the best" during her work on asbestos cases.[3]

Before entering federal parliament, Bishop held several notable institutional positions. She served as a member of the Murdoch University senate from May 1997 to October 1998 and as a director of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) from 1997 to 1998. She was also a delegate to the 1998 Constitutional Convention, which debated whether Australia should become a republic.

Education

Bishop studied law at the University of Adelaide, graduating with a law degree. Her legal education provided the foundation for a career in commercial law that would span more than a decade before she entered politics.[2]

Career

Entry into Parliament (1998)

Bishop was elected to the Australian House of Representatives at the 1998 federal election, winning the seat of Curtin in Perth's affluent western suburbs. The Division of Curtin was a safe Liberal seat, previously held by Allan Rocher, who had served as an independent after leaving the Liberal Party. Bishop's election marked the beginning of a parliamentary career that would last more than two decades.[2]

Howard Government Ministries (2003–2007)

Bishop's first ministerial appointment came in October 2003, when Prime Minister John Howard appointed her as Minister for Ageing.[4] She served in this portfolio until January 2006.

On 27 January 2006, Bishop was promoted to the position of Minister for Education, Science and Training, succeeding Brendan Nelson in the portfolio. She simultaneously took on the role of Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues, succeeding Kay Patterson. During her tenure as Education Minister, Bishop pursued an agenda that included federal oversight of school curricula. Reports indicated that the government sought to take a more active role in shaping what had traditionally been a responsibility of state and territory governments.[5]

In the 2007 federal budget, Bishop announced education spending measures as part of the Howard government's broader policy agenda.[6] She held both portfolios until the Coalition's defeat at the November 2007 federal election.

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party (2007–2018)

Following the Coalition's loss at the 2007 election, the Liberal Party underwent a leadership transition. On 29 November 2007, Brendan Nelson was elected leader of the Liberal Party, defeating Malcolm Turnbull in a party room vote. Bishop was elected as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party on the same day, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She succeeded Peter Costello, who had declined to contest the leadership.[7]

Bishop simultaneously became Deputy Leader of the Opposition, a position she held from 3 December 2007 until the Coalition returned to government in September 2013.

When Turnbull successfully challenged Nelson for the Liberal leadership in September 2008, Bishop retained her position as deputy leader.[8] Under Turnbull's initial shadow ministry, Bishop took on the role of Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.[9]

Bishop initially served as Shadow Treasurer in the Turnbull shadow cabinet but subsequently stepped down from that role in February 2009.[10]

When Tony Abbott defeated Turnbull in a leadership spill in December 2009, Bishop was again re-elected as deputy leader, demonstrating her ability to maintain support across different factional groupings within the party.[11] Under Abbott's leadership, Bishop served as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, a portfolio she had held since the Turnbull period.[12]

During the opposition years, Bishop was involved in several notable political controversies. In May 2010, she was drawn into a dispute over Australia's intelligence practices after making comments about passport forging. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd criticised Bishop over claims she made regarding forged passports.[13] Bishop had suggested that Australia also engaged in passport forging, a statement that drew significant criticism and was characterised as a diplomatic gaffe.[14][15][16]

After the 2010 federal election, Bishop continued in her dual roles as deputy party leader and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs under Abbott's continued leadership.[17]

Bishop's tenure as deputy leader was notable for its longevity and for the fact that she survived multiple changes of Liberal leadership, serving alongside Nelson (2007–2008), Turnbull (2008–2009), Abbott (2009–2015), and Turnbull again (2015–2018). Her ability to maintain the confidence of the party room across these transitions was a distinctive feature of her political career.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (2013–2018)

When the Coalition won the 2013 federal election under Tony Abbott's leadership, Bishop was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs on 18 September 2013, succeeding Bob Carr. She was Australia's first female foreign minister, a milestone that attracted considerable public attention.

Bishop's tenure as Foreign Minister spanned nearly five years and encompassed several significant international events and policy challenges. Among the most prominent were changes to the Australian foreign aid program, Australia's participation in the international military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the investigation into the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, and diplomatic tensions with Indonesia over the execution of Australian citizens Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

The downing of MH17, in which 38 Australian citizens and residents were killed, became a defining issue of Bishop's foreign affairs tenure. She played a central role in Australia's diplomatic response, working with international partners to secure access to the crash site in eastern Ukraine and to establish accountability for the incident.

Bishop continued in the foreign affairs portfolio when Malcolm Turnbull replaced Abbott as Liberal leader and Prime Minister in September 2015, and was retained through the Coalition's re-election at the 2016 federal election.

2018 Leadership Crisis and Retirement

In August 2018, a leadership crisis within the Liberal Party brought Bishop's time as both deputy leader and foreign minister to an end. Peter Dutton, representing the party's conservative wing, challenged Turnbull for the leadership of the Liberal Party. Turnbull survived the initial challenge, defeating Dutton in a leadership ballot. However, tensions within the party continued to escalate, and the party room voted in favour of holding a second leadership spill.

Bishop chose to stand as a candidate in the second ballot, alongside Dutton and Scott Morrison. In the first round of voting, Bishop was eliminated, receiving fewer votes than either Dutton or Morrison. Morrison went on to win the second round, becoming leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister of Australia. Josh Frydenberg succeeded Bishop as Deputy Leader.

Bishop declined to serve in the Morrison Ministry, choosing instead to move to the backbench. She announced her retirement from politics on 21 February 2019. Her departure from parliament took effect on 11 April 2019, when Morrison called the federal election and Parliament was prorogued. Celia Hammond succeeded her as the member for Curtin. Bishop's successor as Minister for Foreign Affairs was Marise Payne.

Chancellor of the Australian National University (2020–present)

On 1 January 2020, Bishop commenced her term as Chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU), succeeding Gareth Evans. She was the first woman to hold the position.

Bishop's chancellorship has not been without controversy. In 2025, the university experienced a period of significant internal turmoil. Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell resigned in September 2025 amid what was described as a "crisis of confidence" in the university's leadership, following a tumultuous period marked by redundancies, proposed course closures, and allegations of a toxic work environment.[18] During an inquiry into leadership issues at ANU in August 2025, a prominent academic gave evidence alleging bullying and described Bishop as "hostile and arrogant."[19] Despite the controversy, Bishop vowed to remain as chancellor. In early 2026, the Australian Financial Review reported that questions persisted about the university's governance and Bishop's continued role, following Bell's resignation.[20]

United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar (2024–present)

On 5 April 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Bishop as his Special Envoy on Myanmar, succeeding Noeleen Heyzer.[21] The appointment came amid the ongoing crisis in Myanmar following the military coup of February 2021.

In her capacity as Special Envoy, Bishop has engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the situation in Myanmar. In September 2025, she addressed the United Nations General Assembly High-level Conference on Myanmar, urging urgent action for an inclusive and peaceful future in the country, with a particular emphasis on the safety and equity of all communities, including Rohingya Muslims and other minorities.[22]

Bishop has also engaged in bilateral diplomacy as part of her role. In December 2025, she held a courtesy meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to discuss the Myanmar situation.[23]

Personal Life

Bishop has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout her public career. She has been based in Perth, Western Australia, for much of her adult life, having moved there to pursue her legal career before entering politics. She represented the Perth-based Division of Curtin for over two decades.

Bishop's voting record in parliament has been documented by parliamentary tracking services.[24]

Recognition

Bishop's career has been marked by several notable milestones in Australian political history. She was the first woman to serve as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, a position she held for nearly eleven years from 2007 to 2018. She was also the first woman to serve as Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, a portfolio she held for nearly five years. Her appointment as Chancellor of the Australian National University in 2020 made her the first woman to serve in that role as well.

Her candidacy for the Liberal Party leadership in August 2018 represented the closest a woman had come to leading the Liberal Party at that time. Although she was eliminated in the first round of voting, her candidacy was noted as a significant moment in the party's history.

Bishop's post-parliamentary career has included her appointment as United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar, placing her in a role of international diplomatic significance. The appointment reflected her experience in foreign affairs and her established relationships with international leaders and institutions.

Legacy

Julie Bishop's political career is notable for its duration, its milestones for women in Australian politics, and its association with a period of significant change within the Liberal Party. As the longest-serving Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, she provided continuity during a period in which the party cycled through four different leaders. Her survival through multiple leadership transitions, serving alongside Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull, and Tony Abbott in opposition and then Turnbull again in government, demonstrated a capacity for navigating internal party dynamics.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bishop was involved in several consequential international episodes. Her handling of the MH17 investigation, the ISIL crisis, and the diplomatic tensions with Indonesia over the Bali Nine executions placed her at the centre of some of Australia's most significant foreign policy challenges during the 2010s.

Her candidacy for the Liberal leadership in 2018, while unsuccessful, highlighted ongoing questions about the representation of women in senior positions within the party. Bishop's career trajectory — from commercial lawyer to backbench MP to deputy leader and senior cabinet minister — followed a path that established her as one of the most prominent female politicians in Australian history.

Her post-parliamentary roles as Chancellor of the Australian National University and as a United Nations Special Envoy have extended her public profile beyond domestic politics into higher education governance and international diplomacy.

References

  1. ↑ "Julie Bishop, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar". 'United Nations}'. 2025-10-22. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Julie Bishop profile". 'ABC 7.30 Report}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  3. ↑ "I was advised by the best on asbestos cases, says Bishop".The Australian.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/i-was-advised-by-the-best-on-asbestos-cases-says-bishop/story-fn59niix-1226519147338.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ↑ "Minister for Ageing appointment".The Age.2003-10-10.http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/10/1065676160190.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  5. ↑ "Canberra to seize syllabus from states".The Australian.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/canberra-to-seize-syllabus-from-states/story-e6frg6nf-1111112318760.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  6. ↑ "Budget 2007 – Minister Bishop". 'Department of Education, Science and Training}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  7. ↑ "Divided Liberals choose Nelson to lead".The Sydney Morning Herald.2007-11-29.http://news.smh.com.au/national/divided-liberals-choose-nelson-to-lead-20071129-1dka.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Turnbull turns on Nelson's men".The Sydney Morning Herald.2008-09-22.http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/turnbull-turns-on-nelsons-men/2008/09/22/1221935509664.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  9. ↑ "Malcolm Turnbull shadow ministry team".The Daily Telegraph.http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/malcolm-turnbull-shadow-ministry-team/story-e6freuy9-1111117552782.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  10. ↑ "Bishop quits as shadow treasurer".The Sydney Morning Herald.2009-02-16.http://www.smh.com.au/national/bishop-quits-as-shadow-treasurer-20090216-88ku.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  11. ↑ "Julie Bishop keeps job continuity as deputy leader".The Australian.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/julie-bishop-keeps-job-continuity-as-deputy-leader/story-e6frg6n6-1225805929293.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  12. ↑ "Abbott reveals new frontbench after reshuffle".The Age.2009-12-08.http://www.theage.com.au/national/abbott-reveals-new-frontbench-after-reshuffle-20091208-kgc9.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  13. ↑ "PM Kevin Rudd slams Julie Bishop over passport forging claims".Herald Sun.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/pm-kevin-rudd-slams-julie-bishop-over-passport-forging-claims/story-e6frf7jo-1225871256613.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  14. ↑ "Australia forges passports too, says Bishop".The Sydney Morning Herald.2010-05-25.http://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-forges-passports-too-says-bishop-20100525-wa6b.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  15. ↑ "Passport gaffe trips Liberal's deputy leader".The Age.2010-05-25.http://www.theage.com.au/national/passport-gaffe-trips-liberals-deputy-leader-20100525-wb0z.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  16. ↑ "First the Israelis, now Julie Bishop's under attack over faked passport scandal".The Sydney Morning Herald.2010-05-26.http://www.smh.com.au/national/first-the-israelis-now-julie-bishops-under-attack-over-faked-passport-scandal-20100526-wc3j.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  17. ↑ "Abbott announces his shadow ministry". 'Australian Conservative}'. 2010-09. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  18. ↑ "Julie Bishop vows to stay on as ANU chancellor after vice-chancellor resigns amid leadership crisis".The Guardian.2025-09-10.https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/11/anu-vice-chancellor-genevieve-bell-resigns-amid-crisis-of-confidence-in-leadership.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  19. ↑ "Academic labels Julie Bishop 'hostile and arrogant' in tearful evidence to ANU inquiry".The Guardian.2025-08-12.https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/12/academic-labels-julie-bishop-hostile-and-arrogant-at-inquiry-into-leadership-issues-at-anu-ntwnfb.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  20. ↑ "Julie Bishop dug in at ANU. But what now?".Australian Financial Review.2026-03-05.https://www.afr.com/rear-window/julie-bishop-dug-in-at-anu-but-what-now-20260305-p5o7r6.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  21. ↑ "Julie Bishop, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar". 'United Nations}'. 2025-10-22. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  22. ↑ "Special Envoy Julie Bishop urges urgent action for inclusive, peaceful future in Myanmar". 'United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs}'. 2025-09-30. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  23. ↑ "Courtesy call on Foreign Minister MOTEGI by Ms. Julie Bishop, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Myanmar". 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan}'. 2025-12-01. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  24. ↑ "Julie Bishop – They Vote For You". 'They Vote For You}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.

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