Two years after her break-up with long-term partner David Panton, Julie Bishop appears to be in a new relationship, with the former foreign minister invited to attend an event with her new boyfriend.
The former deputy leader of the Liberal Party has been listed on the guest list along with her “partner” Steve Gray, for the Australian Grand Prix’s Glamour on the Grid event on Wednesday evening.
However, Ms Bishop has confirmed she won’t be attending the event and will instead be spending the evening back home in Perth.
While little is known about Mr Gray, it’s believed he and Ms Bishop have been together for several months, with images of the pair appearing on Ms Bishop’s social media since July 2023.
In January, she shared an Instagram post of the pair’s trip to South Australia, where they enjoyed a “fabulous outback adventure”.
Mr Gray appeared in a number of photos and videos in the post.
The news of their relationship comes almost two years after NSW property developer David Panton split from the former MP at the Eastbank restaurant on Macquarie St.
“I’m going to be focused on living in Manly and Melbourne for the foreseeable future,” Mr Panton told The Sydney Morning Herald at the time.
“I wish Julie all the best in her ongoing stellar career.”
Ms Bishop previously told The Daily Telegraph in 2020 the pair used to FaceTime when they weren’t able to see each other due to pandemic border closures.
“We FaceTime. It isn’t great but it is all you can do because he can’t get in here (WA) and I can’t go there without having to get an exemption,” she said at the time.
“It is very difficult but I know a lot of families have been separated in this way, it is challenging.”