Excontender for Australian PM to quit politics

Former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced she is leaving politics.

Bishop is the highest ranking woman to serve in the two term government.

Mrs. Bishop had faced months of speculation abut her future after losing an internal party ballot to become prime minister.

Bishop said that she would not contest the next election, expected in may.

She said it had been an “immense honour” to serve as the liberal party’s first female deputy leader.