She subsequently served as the Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls from when Natasha Stott Despoja stepped down from the role in late 2016[1] until 2020.

Stone was born in Pyramid Hill, Victoria, the daughter of Harvey Bawden and Nancy Chalmers.

After the defeat of the Howard government in November 2007, Stone took up the role of Shadow Minister for Environment, Heritage, the Arts and Indigenous Affairs.

Following Malcolm Turnbull's defeat of Brendan Nelson for the leadership of the Liberal Party, and the retirement of Senator Chris Ellison, Stone became Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship in the subsequent reshuffle.

Stone announced her retirement from politics on 26 March 2016,[4] which took effect from the double dissolution of the Australian Parliament on 9 May, in advance of the 2016 federal election on 2 July.