Bronwyn Bishop loses push for presidency of Inter-Parliamentary Union

Federal Speaker Bronwyn Bishop has missed out in her bid to become the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Geneva have elected Saber Hossain Chowdury of Bangladesh as the organisation's 28th president.

Bronwyn Bishop progressed to the second round of voting, after the first round failed to deliver a candidate with an absolute majority.

In the second round she fell short of her Bangladeshi rival, but ahead of Indonesia's candidate.

The 126-year-old Inter-Parliamentary Union aims to safeguard peace and drive positive democratic change.

Ahead of the vote there was speculation the Australian Parliament's recent decision to segregate people with face coverings would hurt Ms Bishop's chances of the presidency.

Ms Bishop led an Australian parliamentary delegation to Geneva which first went to Rome, Brussels and Vienna.

It is understood the delegation split on party lines with Ms Bishop enjoying support from Liberals Nola Marino and Senator Cory Bernardi, but not Labor's Tony Zappia and Senator Glenn Sterle.

After the result Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi tweeted: "Congratulations to new President of IPU. Commiserations to Bronwyn Bishop who ran strong campaign to finish second."