This afternoon, former Foreign Minister Julie Bi Xiaopu (Julie Bishop) issued an unexpected statement after parliament`s Question Time, announcing that she would withdraw from the next federal election.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Bi Xiaopu has been a backseat member of Parliament since his leadership change last year.
Since 1998, she has been a member of Parliament for the Perth constituency, Curtin, and Australia`s first female foreign minister.
A prominent Liberal politician, she said she would run for the 2019 elections, but said she had recently reconsidered her future in parliament and wanted to live outside politics.
"it is a great honor for me to be the longest-serving member of the Curtin, the first woman to be a deputy leader of the Liberal Party, for 11 years and more than half of my entire political career," she said.
"I am also proud of being the first woman in the Liberal Party`s 75-year history to run for the highest leadership election."
Given Bi Xiaopu`s popularity among the public and her powerful fund-raising skills for the Liberal Party, her departure is a major loss for the coalition government, which is due to hold a new federal election in May.
Bi Xiaopu held the ministerial post during Howard`s administration and became deputy leader of the Liberal Party after the 2007 election. Under the leadership of Brendan Nelson, Tan Bao and Albert, he served as deputy leader of the party under the Liberal Party as the opposition party.
After the party won the 2013 election, she became foreign minister and remained in office until Mr. Tan lost her position as top leader of the Liberal Party last year.
Bi Xiaopu overtook Tan Bao in a party vote last year to compete with Morrison and Dutton but was eliminated in the first round of voting. Morrison, who won the leadership vote and became prime minister, paid tribute to Bi Xiaopu and her "great contribution to the country."
"she has always been passionate about her job, showing dignity and elegance in every position she holds," he said.
When Morrison responded to the sudden announcement, Bi Xiaopu had left the conference room.
Despite the far-flung political divide, opposition leader Sheldon called her a "trailblazer."
Labour leader Sheldon praised her work in the wake of the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine, providing comfort to families in grief.
"I also saw her firm determination to do justice in international politics," Scherton said. "she was very strong."
