Before entering Federal Parliament Bronwyn Bishop was a Solicitor and Company Director. She was elected to the Senate for NSW in 1987 and resigned on 24 February 1994. In March 1994, Bishop contested the seat of Mackellar at a by-election called upon the resignation of the Hon. J.J. Carlton, and was elected to the House of Representatives. She was re-elected in 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007.

Bishop was Minister for Defence Industry, Science and Personnel from 11 March 1996 to 21 October 1998, and Minister for Aged Care from October 1998 to October 2001. She was Shadow Minister for Public Administration, Federal Affairs and Local Government from 12 May 1989 to 11 April 1990; Urban and Regional Strategy from 17 January 1994 to 26 May 1994; Health from 26 May 1994 to 31 May 1995; and Privatisation and Commonwealth/State Relations from 31 January 1995 to 11 March 1996.

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/biography.asp?id=SE4 accessed 2001-11-14.