Julie Bishop made a striking public appearance at The King’s Trust Gala in London, just days after resigning as Chancellor of the Australian National University. The former foreign minister, often noted for her elegant style, turned heads on the red carpet alongside her partner, Stephen Gray.
Glamorous Red Carpet Look
Bishop captivated in a dark pink sequined gown by Meraki, valued at $1,300, complemented by a gold evening bag and bold drop earrings. Her bouffant hairstyle and dramatic makeup, featuring pink lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow, added to the glamorous effect. Gray matched the occasion in a black suit, bow tie, and stylish sunglasses as the couple posed together.
On Instagram, Bishop shared a photo from the event, captioning it: “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 King Charles III at Royal Albert Hall with Aussie Shannon Lemanski a proud recipient and a line up of stars.”
Resignation from ANU Chancellorship
The outing follows Bishop’s immediate resignation from her role at the Australian National University on Friday, six years into a term set to end in December. She notified Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and university officials the previous night, pointing to “unprecedented and coordinated interference.”
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) recently intervened amid concerns over governance, internal culture, and leadership at the Canberra institution. For the first time, the regulator directly influenced the chancellor selection process, removing Bishop’s involvement and establishing an independent panel with majority external members to recommend the next appointee.
Bishop’s Statement on Departure
In her statement, Bishop expressed: “I continue to regard the ANU as a truly national treasure.” She added, “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.”
Political Reactions and ANU Challenges
ACT Senator David Pocock welcomed the move, stating: “In stepping aside, the chancellor is acting in the best interests of the ANU. When things go so terribly wrong at the helm of such an important institution, especially one governed by Commonwealth law, there must be accountability.” He supported ongoing reviews and the independent appointment process to restore trust.
ACT Senator Katy Gallagher, an Albanese government frontbencher, urged the university to collaborate openly with staff, students, and the community. “The challenges facing ANU did not arise overnight, and rebuilding trust and confidence across the university community will take time and careful work,” she said.
Sources within the Albanese government indicated the resignation came as no surprise amid a year of turmoil, including Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell’s abrupt exit after 18 months, Senate inquiry allegations of bullying and toxic leadership, and a $250 million cost-cutting initiative that led to redundancies and low staff morale.
TEQSA affirmed the new process ensures integrity, noting: “The next Chancellor will have a key role in setting the strategic direction and culture of the ANU.” Bishop, who served as Australia’s Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2018, had maintained council support despite the criticisms.
