Former foreign minister surprised no West Australian federal MPs voted for her in leadership spill
The former foreign minister Julie Bishop has revealed her surprise
that no West Australian federal MPs voted for her in last week’s Liberal
leadership ballot and says she was caught up in an “unbelievable
conflict” within the Liberal party.
Speaking about her decision to quit as foreign minister, Bishop did not deny being told she was not wanted in Scott Morrison’s new cabinet, Post Newspapers in Perth reported. “I just felt it was best I not be part of that cabinet,” she said.
Bishop, 62, did not say whether her position was offered to someone else in exchange for a vote.
“I’m sure someone else could say,” she said, adding that she got caught up in an “unbelievable conflict between the left and the right of my party”.
Bishop, who will stay in parliament on the backbench as the member for the Perth seat of Curtin, expressed surprise that none of the other 11 federal MPs from WA voted for her in the leadership vote on 24 August. She was knocked out in the first round of voting.
She quit as foreign minister two days later after five years in the job and more than a decade as the Liberals’ deputy leader.
“It surprised me,” she said. “I always believed West Australians had a responsibility to look out for the interests of this state. There certainly is a Queensland influence, no question.”
She said she believed she had the policy depth and experience for the top job, and the ability to put together a good team.
But she was also comfortable with the decisions she had taken, and will now concentrate on her campaign for Curtin at next year’s election.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull has formally resigned from the Australian parliament, bringing an end to his 14-year career as a federal member.
Turnbull, who first entered parliament in 2004, confirmed on Friday his resignation from the New South Wales seat of Wentworth in writing to House of Representatives speaker Tony Smith.
Speaking about her decision to quit as foreign minister, Bishop did not deny being told she was not wanted in Scott Morrison’s new cabinet, Post Newspapers in Perth reported. “I just felt it was best I not be part of that cabinet,” she said.
Bishop, 62, did not say whether her position was offered to someone else in exchange for a vote.
“I’m sure someone else could say,” she said, adding that she got caught up in an “unbelievable conflict between the left and the right of my party”.
Bishop, who will stay in parliament on the backbench as the member for the Perth seat of Curtin, expressed surprise that none of the other 11 federal MPs from WA voted for her in the leadership vote on 24 August. She was knocked out in the first round of voting.
“It surprised me,” she said. “I always believed West Australians had a responsibility to look out for the interests of this state. There certainly is a Queensland influence, no question.”
She said she believed she had the policy depth and experience for the top job, and the ability to put together a good team.
But she was also comfortable with the decisions she had taken, and will now concentrate on her campaign for Curtin at next year’s election.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull has formally resigned from the Australian parliament, bringing an end to his 14-year career as a federal member.
Turnbull, who first entered parliament in 2004, confirmed on Friday his resignation from the New South Wales seat of Wentworth in writing to House of Representatives speaker Tony Smith.
Having stepped down from the Liberal leadership following Peter Dutton’s challenge, Turnbull declared it was best that former prime ministers did not stick around in parliament.
Morrison said Turnbull left a legacy of “great achievement”, noting the Snowy Hydro 2.0 scheme and Western Sydney airport among his best accomplishments.
“[His] dedication and love for his country and his fellow Australians drove him every day he served,” said a statement from the prime minister.
“Australia is a better place thanks to Malcolm’s service and his contribution to our parliament will be sorely missed.”
Turnbull is reportedly leaving the country on Sunday to spend six weeks with his wife, Lucy, in New York.
Morrison also said he wanted Liberal colleagues to follow his “tone and culture” as concerns have been raised over the treatment of women in the party.
Some Liberal MPs and former members are calling for an internal panel to be set up to deal with bullying and harassment complaints.
Morrison said it had been a very bruising week and no one should have any truck with bullies. “I’m setting a tone and culture I expect all of my colleagues to follow and I know they will,” he said.
The former minister Craig Laundy said an internal panel was needed to deal with bullying complaints, as parties should not consider themselves above Australia’s workplace laws.
The defence minister, Christopher Pyne, said he believed complaints of bullying should be dealt with by the normal process, through chief whip Nola Marino.
No comments:
Post a Comment