Australian Foreign Minister announces resignation
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced her resignation today, withdrawing from the cabinet of new Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
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Former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Photo:Reuters. |
Bishop announced he would "take a back seat" and had not decided whether to run in the election in May next year,ReutersPrime Minister Morrison has accepted her resignation and appointed former Defence Minister Marise Payne to replace her.
Bishop has served as Australia's foreign minister since 2013. Her decision came just two days after former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lost his job after losing a second confidence vote in the leadership of the ruling Liberal Party.
Ms Bishop also entered the leadership race last week but lost to former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Treasurer Scott Morrison in the first round of voting. She also lost her deputy leadership of the Liberal Party after 11 years in the post.
Ms Bishop's resignation continues to shake Australian politics after a turbulent week that began with more than 10 ministers resigning in protest at former Prime Minister Turnbull taking the party leadership position.
