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FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop has welcomed the promotion of Farrer MP Sussan Ley to the cabinet table.
Ms Bishop was the sole female in cabinet before Prime Minister Tony Abbott elevated Ms Ley to the health and sport ministries at the weekend.
The deputy leader of the Liberal Party said Ms Ley would “bring great talent to the job” and her promotion was based on merit not gender.
“Sussan Ley is an outstanding addition to the cabinet team,” Ms Bishop said.
“She is very bright, very focused, very hard-working.
“She has had a quite diverse life experience.
“Of course I would like to see more women in cabinet.
“Over time as positions become available women will be promoted on merit.”
Ms Bishop and Ms Ley are strong political allies with the Western Australian MP sent to the Farrer electorate in the 2010 election when the incumbent was under spirited attack from Deniliquin-based independent candidate Louise Burge.
Former member for Indi Sophie Mirabella also congratulated her ex-Liberal Party colleague on her promotion.
Ms Mirabella was denied a spot in cabinet when she lost the seat to independent Cathy McGowan.
“It is fabulous we’ve got someone from the Border in cabinet at the decision-making table,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“For many of our activities the Border is an arbitral line, people live on one side and work on the other.
“It is important to have a strong advocate in Canberra.
“You can’t get anyone stronger than someone sitting at the cabinet table.”
Ms Mirabella was poised to claim the industry portfolio if she retained Indi.
She declined to comment on trying to win Indi back in 2016.
