Thursday 7 July 2022 04:00 AM Julie Bishop attends Australian National University event in Canberra after ... trends now
A beaming Julie Bishop has stepped out in public for the first time as a single woman, just days after being dumped by her long-time partner.
The former foreign minister's eight-year romance with property developer David Panton ended over dinner in Sydney last Friday - just a week after the couple visited London together and dined with Prince Charles.
A carefree Ms Bishop was all smiles as she attended the Australian National University's (ANU) annual John Gee Memorial Lecture in Canberra on Tuesday night.
Photos showed a beaming Ms Bishop standing with International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi, while another showed her introducing the esteemed guest.
Smartly dressed in a black floral blouse, pants and heels, Ms Bishop delivered the opening speech for the event in front of a full house in her role as university chancellor, a job she's held for two-and-a-half years.
Argentinian Mr Grossi was a keynote speaker at the lecture, named in honour of former diplomat the late Dr John Gee AO, who made a significant contribution to disarmament and arms control around the globe.
A newly single Julie Bishop (right) posed for a photo with keynote speaker International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Mariano Grossi at an ANU event in Canberra
Julie Bishop's eight-year romance with her partner David Panton has come to an end
Mr Grossi spoke about nuclear security and safety, nuclear applications in health, gender equality and his agency's important work to make the world a better and safer place, including its recent assistance to Ukraine and its efforts to support sustainable development.
'We are reaching a defining moment for global nuclear non-proliferation,' Mr Grossi told attendees.
It was the first time Ms Bishop had been spotted in public since her break-up four night earlier.
She first stepped out publicly with Mr Panton in 2014, with the pair pictured at countless events including the 2018 wedding of Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough.
The couple went to dinner last Friday night in Sydney's CBD where Mr Panton said the relationship had run its course, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
ANU chancellor Julie Bishop gave the opening speech at the annual event in Canberra on Tuesday, four nights after her relationship ended
ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop opened the John Gee Memorial Lecture to a full house
The couple went to dinner on Friday night in Sydney's CBD where Mr Panton decided the relationship had run its course, the Sydney Morning Herald reported
The pair had been together just a week ago at St James's Palace in London, having dinner with Prince Charles for an event honouring his charity
'I'm going to be focused on living in Manly and Melbourne for the foreseeable future,' Mr Panton told the publication.
'I wish Julie all the best in her ongoing stellar career.'
The pair appeared to be going strong when they recently visited St James' Palace in London for an event honouring Prince Charles' charity.
Mr Panton, 61, met Ms Bishop, 65, while she was the midst of her political career, serving as Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr Panton, 61, met Ms Bishop, 65, while she was at the height of her political career, serving as Australia's foreign affairs minister.
The pair maintained a long-distance relationship for years, with Ms Bishop based in Perth while he lived in Sydney.
Mr Panton, originally from Melbourne, previously ran a vineyard with his ex-wife and owned a pharmacy business before moving into the property development industry when he moved to the Harbour City in 2014 - around the time he met Ms Bishop.
In 2019, Ms Bishop told the SMH about how she fell for the property developer and their bond over their love of health and fitness.
'That's self-evident – have you seen him?' she laughed.
'He's a swimmer, I'm a runner.'
Ms Bishop, 65, had in 2019 told the SMH about how she fell for the property developer and their bond over their love of health and fitness.
'He's a very independent-minded and successful businessman, and he has a delightful sense of humour. He makes me laugh.'
Mr Paton was often by her side as she travelled the world as the foreign
