Anne Ruston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anne Ruston
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Ruston in 2018
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| Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate | |
| Assumed office 25 January 2025 |
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| Leader | Michaelia Cash |
| Preceded by | Michaelia Cash |
| Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate | |
| In office 5 June 2022 – 25 January 2025 |
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| Leader | Simon Birmingham |
| Preceded by | Katy Gallagher |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Duniam |
| Manager of Government Business in the Senate | |
| In office 29 May 2019 – 23 May 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Scott Morrison |
| Leader | Mathias Cormann Simon Birmingham |
| Preceded by | Mitch Fifield |
| Succeeded by | Katy Gallagher |
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Acting
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| In office 23 August 2018 – 28 August 2018 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Leader | Simon Birmingham (acting) |
| Preceded by | Simon Birmingham |
| Succeeded by | Mitch Fifield |
| Minister for Families and Social Services | |
| In office 29 May 2019 – 23 May 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Scott Morrison |
| Preceded by | Paul Fletcher |
| Succeeded by | Amanda Rishworth (as Minister for Social Services) |
| Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific | |
| In office 28 August 2018 – 26 May 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | Scott Morrison |
| Preceded by | Concetta Fierravanti-Wells |
| Succeeded by | Alex Hawke |
| Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources | |
| In office 21 September 2015 – 28 August 2018 |
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| Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Preceded by | Richard Colbeck (as Parliamentary-Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture) |
| Succeeded by | Richard Colbeck |
| Senator for South Australia | |
| Assumed office 5 September 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Mary Jo Fisher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 June 1963 Renmark, South Australia, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Alma mater | University of Southern Queensland |
| Occupation | Chief executive rose-grower |
Anne Sowerby Ruston, born on June 10, 1963, is an Australian politician. She has been a Senator for South Australia since 2012. From 2019 to 2022, she served as the Minister for Families and Social Services in the Morrison government.
Before she became a politician, Anne Ruston was a successful commercial rose-grower. She also worked as the chief executive of the National Wine Centre. She became a Senator to fill a spot that opened up when another Senator resigned. She also served as an Assistant Minister in different government roles before becoming a Cabinet Minister after the 2019 election.
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Early Life and Education
Anne Ruston was born in Renmark, South Australia, on June 10, 1963. She attended Renmark High School. Later, she earned a degree in Business from the University of Southern Queensland.
Career Before Politics
Working in Government and Wine
In 1987, Anne Ruston started her career working for a state politician. By 1993, she was advising the state tourism minister on tourism policies. In 1996, she became an executive officer at the Wine and Tourism Council.
Anne Ruston played a big part in creating the National Wine Centre of Australia. She was first the project director and then the centre's first CEO. The centre was planned as a place for wine tourism and education. She oversaw the building of the centre, which opened in 2001.
Running a Rose Farm
In 2003, Anne Ruston and her husband bought Ruston's Roses. This was a large rose-growing farm in Renmark, started by her uncle in 1948. The farm had many thousands of rose bushes and different types of irises.
Due to a long period of dry weather, called the Millennium drought, she had to stop growing roses commercially for three years. The farm then changed to focus more on tourism, with a visitor centre, event rooms, and a cafe. She was the managing director until she became a Senator in 2012, but she remains a co-owner of the farm.
Political Journey
Becoming a Senator
Anne Ruston became a vice-president of the Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division) in 2011. In 2012, she was chosen to be a Senator for South Australia. She was officially appointed by the Parliament of South Australia on September 5, 2012.
Roles in Government
From September 2014 to May 2016, Senator Ruston served as a deputy whip. This role helps manage how votes happen in the Senate. In September 2015, she became the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources.
She also served as the Manager of Government Business in the Senate for a short time in 2018. Later that year, she was appointed Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
After the 2019 federal election, Anne Ruston was promoted to the Cabinet. She became the Minister for Families and Social Services. She was also reappointed as Manager of Government Business in the Senate. In March 2021, she was given an additional new role as Minister for Women's Safety.
Political Views
Anne Ruston is part of the Moderate group within the Liberal Party.
Personal Life
Anne Ruston is married to Richard Fewster, and they have a son.
