Bronwyn Bishop has resigned from politics

Outgoing Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop has called it a day, officially resigning from politics late last night.

The former speaker gave her farewell speech in parliament and used the opportunity to deliver a few choice words to her former boss and mentee Tony Abbott.

Addressing her infamous helicopter ride, Ms Bishop said she was asked to step down by Mr Abbott and insinuated there was more to her side of the story than meets the eye.

“I was asked to resign for Tony Abbott, someone whom I had assisted and worked with and respected for many years,” she said.

“There is much more than meets the eye in that saga but not for now.”

Ms Bishop lost her job as speaker after she charged taxpayers $5,000 to charter a helicopter ride from Melbourne to Geelong for a Liberal Party fundraiser.

She reportedly wanted to apologise for the incident earlier, but was asked to hold firm by Mr Abbott’s team before eventually being forced out.

It wasn’t just Tony Abbott in the firing line though.

Ms Bishop also took a shot at former PM Paul Keating, comparing him to a burnt out party sparkler of all things.

She said that Mr Keating had once paid her the compliment of calling her a “fire cracker”, referring to her tenacious personality and attitude in parliament.

However, instead of paying the compliment back, Ms Bishop had some slightly harsher words for Mr Keating.

“I was opening something and somebody bowled up and said ‘Paul Keating has just called you a fire cracker … he called you a Catherine wheel, you just roll and roll and roll’.

“I said ‘Really? Well perhaps all I can say is Mr Keating reminds me of a sparkler; all froth and fire and then it goes out and all that’s left is a thin black stick’.”

The speech marked the end of Ms Bishop’s 29-year political career.

She received applause and hugs from many of her colleagues after her speech, except, notably, from Mr Abbott who decided to skip the event.

What do you think about Bronwyn Bishop’s parting words? Will you miss her in parliament or are you happy to see her go?