Julia Banks unsuccessfully contested the seat of Flinders at the 2019 election, pitting her against government frontbencher Greg Hunt.
20 Facts About Julia Banks
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Julia Banks's parents are both of Greek heritage and her father migrated to Australia from Greece as a 15-year-old.
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Julia Banks studied Arts and Law at Monash University, graduating in 1984 and 1986, respectively.
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Julia Banks has graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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Julia Banks worked as a lawyer in private practice principally in litigation and then joined Hoechst Australia Limited as Corporate Counsel.
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From 2009 to 2014, Julia Banks served as General Counsel and Company Secretary for GlaxoSmithKline Australasia, taking on the role of Head of Compliance and Risk Management.
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Julia Banks has been a member of the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property and a Director of the Australian Made company.
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Julia Banks was elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for Chisholm at the 2016 federal election.
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Julia Banks succeeded Labor's Anna Burke, who had held the seat since 1998 and had announced in 2015 she was retiring from politics.
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Julia Banks was the only candidate for the governing Liberal-National Coalition to win a seat held by an opposition party at the 2016 election.
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Since her election, Julia Banks has served on two standing committees of the House, dealing with Economics and Social Policy and Legal Affairs.
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Julia Banks became chair of the latter committee in February 2018.
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The Liberal Party later stated that it confirmed with the Greek Embassy in Australia that Julia Banks is not registered as a Greek citizen.
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Julia Banks described the ousting of Turnbull from the Prime Ministership as the "last straw" and cited a "cultural and gender bias, bullying and intimidation" of women in politics.
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Morrison subsequently expressed concern for Julia Banks' welfare, promised to stamp out bullying within the Liberal party, and thanked her for not quitting parliament immediately, so that there will not be need for a by-election for her marginal seat.
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On 27 November 2018, Julia Banks announced in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives that she would, with immediate effect, leave the Liberal Party to sit on the crossbench as an independent MP.
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Julia Banks's decision put the Morrison government further into minority, reducing its numbers on the floor of the House to 73.
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Julia Banks stated that she would provide confidence and supply to the government if necessary; and said that her previously-announced retirement from politics at the forthcoming general election was not a final decision.
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On 31 January 2019 Julia Banks announced that she would challenge health minister, and former Liberal Party colleague, Greg Hunt as an independent at the federal election later that year, seeking to win the seat of Flinders.
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In October 2021 Julia Banks was named as an advisor for climate fund, Climate 200.