Julie Bishop would have called early election

Julie Bishop would have called an election immediately had she been chosen as Prime Minister in last year's leadership spill, she has said.

The former Foreign Minister was asked on Today Extra what she would have done differently if she had been chosen by the party room.

"I would have called an election straight away," she said.

"The upheaval in the leadership stakes was damaging, and so I probably would have gone to an election early.

"But that's all water under the bridge."

Ms Bishop was considered a top contender in last year's leadership spill, by far the most liked candidate among the electorate, according to polling.

But she came a distant third, with Scott Morrison taking the top job in a run-off with Peter Dutton.

She announced her retirement from Parliament a few months ago.

Mr Morrison was expected to call an election last weekend, but did not.

The election will likely be held in late May.