Julie Bishop Stuns in $1,300 Gown at Gala

Former foreign minister has made a defiant first appearance since stepping down as Chancellor of the Australian National University. 

Bishop, once dubbed 'Minister for Fashion' due to her love of designer labels, dazzled on the red carpet at The Kings Trust Gala in London on Monday, looking anything but downtrodden following her resignation.

Joined by her partner Stephen Gray, Bishop stunned in a dark pink sequined gown by Meraki worth $1,300, paired with a gold evening bag and statement drop earrings. 

Her hair was styled in a bouffant style, while her makeup was dramatic with pink lipstick, blush and eye shadow.  

Meanwhile, her beau sported a black suit, bow tie and a pair of sassy sunglasses as they posed side-by-side on the red carpet.

Sharing a photo of the pair posing up a storm, Julie wrote on Instagram: 'The King's Trust celebrating 50 years of supporting the limitless potential of young people with a special awards event in the presence of His Majesty  III at Royal Albert Hall with Aussie Shannon Lemanski a proud recipient and a line up of stars.' 

The sighting comes days after Bishop resigned as Chancellor of the Australian National University on Friday. 

Bishop had been the target of sustained criticism during her six-year tenure at the Canberra-based institution, which began in January 2020 and was due to end in December. 

She informed Prime Minister and the university of her decision to resign effective immediately on Thursday night, citing 'unprecedented and coordinated interference'.

It came after the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) last week took the unprecedented step of intervening following months of turmoil at ANU, marked by concerns over governance, internal culture, and leadership.

Bishop was stripped of her role in selecting the next chancellor, which goes against long‑standing practice in the university's history. 

It is the first time the higher education regulator has intervened so directly in the appointment of a university chancellor.

In a statement, Bishop said that she was deeply privileged to have held the role while taking aim at TEQSA.

'I continue to regard the ANU as a truly national treasure,' she said. 

'Following unprecedented and coordinated interference, the ANU Council is no longer able to discharge its legal and ethical obligations.

'The higher education sector is at a crossroads of regulatory overreach in the governance of our institutions or autonomy and academic freedom. 

'I fear the collateral from this regulatory overreach will be the next generation of students and staff.'

The decision was welcomed by various sides of parliament.

'In stepping aside, the chancellor is acting in the best interests of the ANU,' ACT Senator David Pocock said.

'When things go so terribly wrong at the helm of such an important institution, especially one governed by Commonwealth law, there must be accountability. 

'A number of processes including a review by the higher education regulator, TEQSA, are yet to conclude and need to be allowed to run their course.

'The voluntary undertaking to conduct an independent process to appoint the next Chancellor is very welcome and will hopefully help rebuild trust, confidence and better governance at our national university.'

ACT senator and Albanese government frontbencher Katy Gallagher called on ANU  to work openly with staff, students and the broader community to rebuild confidence.

'I note the resignation of ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop,' she said in a statement.

'The challenges facing ANU did not arise overnight, and rebuilding trust and confidence across the university community will take time and careful work.'

Other sources in the Albanese government told the Sydney Morning Herald that Bishop's resignation 'did not come as a surprise'.

Her resignation follows a year of escalating controversy at ANU, including the abrupt departure of vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell, public allegations of bullying and intimidation raised in a Senate inquiry, and mounting doubts over whether the university's council could be trusted to handle senior appointments independently.

Under the agreement, a selection panel with a majority of independent members will oversee the search for the next chancellor and recommend their preferred candidate to the ANU Council, which retains the formal power of appointment under the Australian National University Act 1991.

TEQSA will take an active role in designing and supervising the process in what critics have called a direct response to 'a breakdown in governance and trust at the university'.

'The next Chancellor will have a key role in setting the strategic direction and culture of the ANU,' the regulator said.