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Senate

Anne Ruston

Senator for South Australia

Liberal Party of Australia · LIB

Federal parliamentary service14 years 1 month(s) and 24 days.Duration reported by the Parliamentary Handbook · 28 Oct 2026
Current ministry / shadow entries3Includes office-holder entries such as Cabinet membership; not a count of distinct policy areas.

Parliamentary service

First entered federal Parliament: 5 Sept 2012.

Service periods below follow the Handbook’s election and service boundaries. The source-reported duration above is shown separately from our interval calculation.

  1. 1 July 2025 – CurrentSenate

    Re-elected 2025

  2. 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2025Senate

    Re-elected 2019

  3. 2 July 2016 – 30 June 2019Senate

    Elected to the Senate for South Australia 2016.

  4. 5 Sept 2012 – 1 July 2016Senate

    Chosen by the Parliament of South Australia on 5.9.2012 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice M Fisher (resigned).

Current responsibilities

Ministry and shadow ministry

  • Shadow Cabinet Minister5 June 2022 – CurrentTaylor Shadow Ministry
  • Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care5 June 2022 – CurrentTaylor Shadow Ministry
  • Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate25 Jan 2025 – CurrentTaylor Shadow Ministry

Parliamentary and party offices

  • Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate5 June 2022 – Current

These are the Handbook’s dated appointments. Party spokespeople and committee memberships outside these records need their own source checks.

Background before Parliament

Qualifications recorded by Parliament

  • Bachelor of Business, University of Southern Queensland

Occupations recorded by Parliament

  • Owner/operator of Ruston's Roses from 2003 to 2012.
  • Chief Executive of the National Wine Centre from 1996 to 2002.
  • Senior Policy Adviser to the Minister for Industrial Affairs, Tourism, Recreation, Sport and Racing (SA) from 1993 to 1996.
  • Electorate officer from 1987 to 1993.

Appointment history

View 16 dated office and portfolio entries
  • Shadow Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme28 May 2025 – 17 Feb 2026
  • Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate25 Jan 2025 – Current
  • Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care5 June 2022 – Current
  • Shadow Minister for Sport5 June 2022 – 17 Feb 2026
  • Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate5 June 2022 – 25 Jan 2025
  • Shadow Cabinet Minister5 June 2022 – Current
  • Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate5 June 2022 – Current
  • Minister for Women's Safety30 Mar 2021 – 23 May 2022
  • Minister for Families and Social Services29 May 2019 – 23 May 2022
  • Cabinet Minister29 May 2019 – 23 May 2022
  • Manager of Government Business in the Senate29 May 2019 – 21 May 2022
  • Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific28 Aug 2018 – 29 May 2019
  • Manager of Government Business in the Senate23 Aug 2018 – 28 Aug 2018
  • Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources21 Sept 2015 – 28 Aug 2018
  • Government Deputy Whip in the Senate1 July 2014 – 9 May 2016
  • Temporary Chair of Committees12 Nov 2013 – 7 July 2014