Bronwyn Bishop hopes her official portrait hanging in the halls of Parliament House in Canberra will inspire more women to go into politics.
The former peaker left politics in 2016 but had her painted portrait unveiled on Monday.
Ms Bishop told the crowd she wants the painting to inspire more young women to break through into politics, where she said it had been a privilege to serve.
Speaker Tony Smith and former speaker Bronwyn Bishop at the unveiling of her official portrait at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP
"I knew as a woman in my country I had the opportunity to compete. Most women in the world are denied that opportunity," Ms Bishop said on Monday.
"That means that having the opportunity, you've got to take it and seize it.
"If things are a bit more difficult because you're a woman, don't waste your time and effort whingeing about it, use that time and effort to overcome it, because it can be done."
Ms Bishop said her experience as defence industry minister, opening doors for women in the military, and her time looking after the aged care portfolio were highlights of her parliamentary career.
Artist Jiawei Shen and former speaker Bronwyn Bishop at the unveiling of her official portrait at Parliament House. Source: AAP
She said her changes to aged care saw 200 providers leave the sector because they couldn't meet the new standards.
"(But) it's 20 years on now, and it's time for another look," she said, ahead of the upcoming aged-care royal commission.
The portrait was painted by artist Shen Jiawei, who fled Communist China and also painted John Howard's official portrait in 2010.
