Former deputy leader of the Liberal Party and perennial candidate for leader Julie Bishop has announced she will not be contesting her seat at the next election.
Bishop, who has held the seat of Curtin in Western Australia since 1998, announced the end of her political tenure despite earlier indicating that it was her “intention” to remain in Parliament and contest the next election.
The former foreign minister has been on the backbench since the spill last year which installed Scott Morrison as Prime Minister. Prior to that, she was deputy leader of the Liberal Party under Malcolm Turnbull.
In her final speech, she pointed out that she believed the Liberal platform was strong and urged the country to vote for them, and warned of “policy failures” under a likely Labor government:
I will leave this place, positive about the future, proud of the service I have been able to give, to my electorate of Curtin, my beloved Liberal party, my state of Western Australia, and my country.
There is currently no set date for the election, though it will almost certainly be held before the 18th of May as per House of Representatives requirements.
