Title : Julie Bishop, the ultimate survivor, calls time on a storied career
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Julie Bishop, the ultimate survivor, calls time on a storied career
And so one of the most successful Australian parliamentarians has called an end to it all.
Just a few months ago Julie Bishop projected her already stellar career on an even bigger canvas — but her bid to become prime minister failed spectacularly, and now she has decided 21 years in parliament is enough.
Prime minister Julie Bishop was a title too far. But the lawyer-turned-politician was always seen as the loyal deputy, standing by her men … Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and, as a backbencher, Scott Morrison.
She was the ultimate survivor.
Consider this: the former foreign minister had retained the deputy leadership of the Liberal Party since John Howard was relieved of his prime ministership way back in 2007.
Since then we have had a passing parade of prime ministers, Liberal and Labor, but until the turnover of Mr Turnbull only one deputy leader of the Liberal Party. It's a remarkable achievement unmatched by any other modern federal political office bearer.
How did this 'small l' liberal prosper under very different leaders? Part of her success may lie in the perception she would remain the supportive deputy and not threaten the throne.
But at crucial moments she adeptly switched horses and remained on track at exactly the right moment. Timing is everything in politics, and until last year's turmoil, Julie Bishop managed her career to the second.
What do we know about her? Surprisingly little given she has been a public figure for two decades.
Not one for outbursts or rhetorical flourishes, her public demeanour is characterised as cautious, measured, considered. And while she is undoubtedly a 'small l ' liberal, she did not wave her progressive flag on issues like same-sex marriage.
As for her personality, it is difficult to delve beyond the steel ring of her contained public self. It leaves us with a mystery, and perhaps a perception she is neither warm nor cuddly.
But, of course, her long-term job as our foreign minister demanded a tough, no-nonsense image.
Bishop's international successes define her legacy
Australia has generally been well served by our foreign ministers and Ms Bishop was no exception to that tradition.
It's a job where mistakes are amplified on international stages, and one where discrete relationships built within a myriad of foreign governments underpin the achievements, often unheralded, in our global relationships.
Julie Bishop had been a consistent success.
Take the issue of how to deal with an expansive China. Although there have been periods of mixed messages over the South China Sea and Beijing's influence in the Pacific, Australia has, so far, largely avoided the trade wars and angry rhetoric exchanged between the US and China.
Of course our future is umbilically linked to an ever-expanding Chinese economy and critics of Ms Bishop, including some within her own party, accused her of avoiding calling out Beijing's bad behaviour.
Perhaps one of Ms Bishop's most prominent successes was the campaign in the United Nations to get access to the crash site after the shocking downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over the rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine back in July 2014, which killed all on board, including a number of Australians.
Ms Bishop worked tirelessly in New York before finally getting the agreement she needed. And, after the joint investigation into the atrocity concluded the Russian military was behind the missile attack, she demanded the suspects named be extradited to the Netherlands to face trial.
When the Russian Government vetoed the UN resolution calling for the setting up of an independent criminal tribunal, she did not hold back, saying "the anticipated excuses and obfuscation by the Russian Federation should be treated with the utmost disdain".
Ms Bishop played a crucial role negotiating with the Ukrainian Government for the repatriation of the remains of the MH17 victims. It was one of the few times we saw her express raw emotion from the otherwise coolest of cool ministers.
This issue was personal, and it showed. I was in Kiev covering the MH17 horror and saw just how determined she was to get the remains home, and the perpetrators prosecuted. She still is.
The fitness and the fashion
Ms Bishop spent more time in Canberra and the world's capitals than she has at home in Perth. Home or away, she has always sparkled. Literally.
From the expensive earrings to the designer clothes, the former foreign minister presented herself as a fashion icon. So much so various labels have donated their wares in the hope the fit and polished politician may act as a one woman runway and promote their gear.
Ms Bishop was undoubtedly the fittest foreign minister we've ever had, with a running regime usually the reserve of elite athletes. Even on the morning of her failed bid for the nation's top job, she sailed past the gathered media in her designer running wear with a cheery "good morning", after running a few kilometres from her home to parliament.
She was followed, as always, by her police protection, often seen huffing and puffing behind her.
Her political staying power had been proven time and again. But her time in the brutal world of Canberra politics is over.
The timing of her departure is no surprise. If the Coalition becomes the opposition after the next election, the cold reality of powerlessness and irrelevance is a tough ask. Especially for someone used to a top table on world stages.
Julie Bishop didn't make the Lodge. That no doubt still hurts. But she did earn a reputation as a talented foreign minister and was politically nimble and astute enough to remain the number two Liberal for more than a decade.
She has earned the respect of world leaders, and deserved the accolades from both sides of the chamber today.
We may not really know her, but her work will stand as testimony to a dedicated, talented and fierce advocate for Australia.
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