julie bishop steps down

ABC Online
Opposition frontbencher Julie Bishop has stepped down as shadow treasurer after days of sniping from Liberal colleagues.

Ms Bishop will take up the foreign affairs portfolio and keep her job as deputy Opposition leader.

Her decision to quit the prestigious portfolio follows days of speculation that many Liberal MPs were unhappy with her performance in the role after a series of gaffes in recent months.

Colleagues were reportedly critical of Ms Bishop's inability to make any headway against Treasurer Wayne Swan.

Speaking in Perth today, Ms Bishop said she felt she had performed in the role competently and diligently, but said the focus on her performance was providing a distraction from Labor's performance as economic managers.

Dave R.