Former Australian politician Julie Bishop has confirmed her long-rumoured new romance following months of speculation.
Ms Bishop, 68, who was Australia's foreign minister from 2013 to 2018, was spotted packing on the PDA with boyfriend Stephen Gray as they arrived at Sydney Airport on Friday.
She shared a kiss with Mr Gray, who hails from Perth, as they stood near the Qantas desk with their luggage.
Looking extremely stylish, the unofficial 'Minister for Fashion' wore a chic black and gold Camilla double-breasted blazer worth $1,300.
She paired her look with smart black trousers and heeled boots.
The one-time deputy leader of the Liberal Party rocked her signature blonde feathered-out hairdo and accessorised with gold drop earrings and a necklace.
Ms Bishop was also seen carrying a black suitcase and a beige carry-on bag.
Mr Gray opted for more casual attire, but showed off his expensive taste by wearing a blue shirt layered with a navy Canada Goose vest worth $1,100.
![Former Australian politician Julie Bishop has confirmed her long-rumoured new romance following months of speculation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374159-13729745-image-a-5_1723254610738.jpg)
Former Australian politician Julie Bishop has confirmed her long-rumoured new romance following months of speculation
He completed his look with light brown trousers and black leather boots.
Ms Bishop and Mr Gray appear to have been an item for more than a year, after she 'soft-launched' him on her social media accounts back in July 2023.
Earlier this year, they travelled to South Australia for a 'fabulous Outback adventure'.
In a video shared to her Instagram page, Ms Bishop put together a montage of images and video clips from their holiday and tagged Mr Gray.
![Ms Bishop, 68, who was Australia's foreign minister from 2013 to 2018, was spotted packing on the PDA with boyfriend Stephen Gray](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374157-13729745-image-a-32_1723254798247.jpg)
![They were seen arriving at Sydney Airport on Friday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374155-13729745-image-m-31_1723254791489.jpg)
Ms Bishop, 68, who was Australia's foreign minister from 2013 to 2018, was spotted packing on the PDA with boyfriend Stephen Gray as they arrived at Sydney Airport on Friday
![She shared a kiss with Mr Gray, who hails from Perth , as they stood near the Qantas desk with their luggage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374147-13729745-image-a-25_1723254738520.jpg)
She shared a kiss with Mr Gray, who hails from Perth , as they stood near the Qantas desk with their luggage
One video showed the couple posing together beside a small aircraft.
'Great Southern Land. Thank you @quondong_oakbank_stations for our fabulous outback adventure - 350ks from Adelaide on a 1477sq kms Merino station,' she captioned her post.
Little is known about Mr Gray, whose Instagram account is private with only 60 followers.
![The couple shared an animated conversation as they made their way through the airport](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/03/88374131-13729745-image-a-45_1723255586348.jpg)
The couple shared an animated conversation as they made their way through the airport
![Ms Bishop looked extremely stylish from her flight](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374171-13729745-image-a-37_1723255100652.jpg)
Ms Bishop looked extremely stylish from her flight
![The unofficial 'Minister for Fashion' wore a chic Camilla double-breasted blazer worth $1,300](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374145-13729745-image-a-34_1723254841654.jpg)
The unofficial 'Minister for Fashion' wore a chic Camilla double-breasted blazer worth $1,300
![The lovebirds were all smiles as they jetted into Sydney](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374135-13729745-image-a-35_1723254847034.jpg)
The lovebirds were all smiles as they jetted into Sydney
The news of her new romance comes almost two years after David Panton, 62, allegedly dumped Ms Bishop over dinner in Sydney in July 2022, putting an end to their eight-year relationship.
During their partnership, Ms Bishop took Mr Panton to the United Nations to meet world leaders, Buckingham Palace to hobnob with British royalty and to the White House where he met Donald and Melania Trump.
The pair first stepped out publicly in 2014, and were pictured at countless celebrity events over the years including the 2018 wedding of Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough.
They had appeared to be going strong when they recently visited St James' Palace in London for an event honouring Prince Charles' charity.
![The pair continued to remain close as they exited the airport and were ushered to a vehicle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374149-13729745-image-a-36_1723254851897.jpg)
The pair continued to remain close as they exited the airport and were ushered to a vehicle
![Ms Bishop and Mr Gray appear to have been an item for over a year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/03/88374175-13729745-image-m-55_1723256050454.jpg)
Ms Bishop and Mr Gray appear to have been an item for over a year
![The ex-politician debuted him on her social media back in July 2023](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374167-13729745-image-a-38_1723255166478.jpg)
The ex-politician debuted him on her social media back in July 2023
![Little is known about Mr Gray (pictured) whose Instagram account is private with only 60 close-knit followers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374143-13729745-image-a-40_1723255199169.jpg)
Little is known about Mr Gray (pictured) whose Instagram account is private with only 60 close-knit followers
Ms Bishop was understood to have been 'blindsided' by the sudden breakdown of her relationship, sources close to the former politician said.
Daily Mail Australia understands she had been finding more ways to be in Sydney with Mr Panton.
Ms Bishop emerged for the first time since the split smiling happily for photos at a Perth mining conference on July 11, 2023, although insiders said she was hurting in the wake of the bust-up and was shocked at the way he'd pulled the pin so suddenly.
![Mr Gray showed off his expensive taste with a navy Canada Goose vest worth $1,100](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/02/88374151-13729745-image-a-39_1723255176680.jpg)
Mr Gray showed off his expensive taste with a navy Canada Goose vest worth $1,100
![The news of her new romance comes almost two years after David Panton, 62, allegedly dumped Ms Bishop over dinner in Sydney in July 2022, putting an end to their eight-year relationship](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/03/88374177-13729745-image-a-44_1723255561572.jpg)
The news of her new romance comes almost two years after David Panton, 62, allegedly dumped Ms Bishop over dinner in Sydney in July 2022, putting an end to their eight-year relationship
Another source close to Ms Bishop was slightly less diplomatic about the sudden end to the affair, hinting that Mr Panton's presence in her inner circle 'divided' some of her friends and colleagues.
But 'JBish', as she was referred to in Canberra, remained smitten.
'Let's just say a there are a few who might be relieved that it's over,' said one, adding: 'His personality didn't always gel with everyone.'
Mr Panton met Ms Bishop while she was in the midst of her political career, serving as Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The pair maintained a long-distance relationship for years, with Ms Bishop based in Perth while he lived in Sydney.
Mr Panton has now moved on with 39-year-old Genevieve Anderson.
![Ms Bishop was understood to have been 'blindsided' by the sudden breakdown of her relationship, sources close to the former politician said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/03/88374141-13729745-image-a-43_1723255549219.jpg)
Ms Bishop was understood to have been 'blindsided' by the sudden breakdown of her relationship, sources close to the former politician said
![Mr Panton met Ms Bishop while she was in the midst of her political career, serving as Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. The pair maintained a long-distance relationship for years, with Ms Bishop based in Perth while he lived in Sydney](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/03/88374139-13729745-image-a-41_1723255522356.jpg)
Mr Panton met Ms Bishop while she was in the midst of her political career, serving as Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. The pair maintained a long-distance relationship for years, with Ms Bishop based in Perth while he lived in Sydney
![Mr Panton has now moved on with 39-year-old Genevieve Anderson](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/10/03/88374137-13729745-image-a-42_1723255544068.jpg)
Mr Panton has now moved on with 39-year-old Genevieve Anderson