SENATOR THE HON ANNE RUSTON
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

TRANSCRIPT

INTERVIEW WITH PATRICIA KARVELAS, ABC AFTERNOON BRIEFING

5 March 2026

Topics: Iran conflict, Australians stranded in the Middle East, Farrer by-election

PATRICIA KARVELAS: Shadow Health Minister and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Anne Ruston joins me this afternoon. Welcome to the program.

ANNE RUSTON: Thank you.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: Why is the Opposition going in so hard? Isn’t this a bipartisan effort?

ANNE RUSTON: Look, absolutely, we want to see the Australians that are stranded in the Middle East out of the Middle Eastern as soon as possible, because obviously it’s a very anxious time for them and for their families. But what we don’t understand is why is there such secrecy around what’s going on. We have heard some quite harrowing stories coming out of the Middle East of people who haven’t been able to get access to consular support. They’re getting more help by ringing up Qantas or Etihad than they are by speaking to the Australian consular staff. So, obviously, we want to make sure that first and foremost Australians who are stranded are getting the help that they need, but I think the Government could be a little more transparent about what it’s doing and the challenges it’s facing, instead of hiding behind things as they are at the moment.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: Do you have clarification on what the military assets that have been deployed are?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, as far as I’m aware, in the last hour or so we still did not have any information about what was being deployed, where they were being deployed. But most particularly, I think every single Australian wants to know when the people who are stranded in the Middle East are likely to be able to get home. And I think even if you don’t know somebody there, I think we all care very deeply about the safety of Australians stranded.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: We certainly do, but this is now at a scale that no one could have predicted. Iran’s response is really - we’ve not seen this, did not happen in the 12-day war last year. And at the same time, countries all over the world are scrambling. I mean, we’re just in the same position as everyone else, aren’t we?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, I think whilst we understand that no conflict is ever the same as the last conflict, you know, I don’t think anybody could have thought that this conflict wasn’t likely to occur. I mean, we’ve escalated our footings when it comes to national security quite strongly of recent times. So, I think for the Government to be suggesting that they shouldn’t have been aware of the potential for this particular situation to occur probably would suggest a level of ignorance that I don’t think any government can really hide behind, because this conflict was always on the cards.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: The Government’s called for de-escalation. Is that something that you think should happen as well?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, I think the most important thing about this whole situation that we see unfolding in the Middle East is, you know, the attempt to liberate the Iranian people from a regime that has been suppressing the people of that country for such a long time, has been a hotbed for the support of cells outsourced in places like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and we’ve seen some of that actually play out in Australia. So, to be able to rid the Middle East of those cells, to rid the Middle East of this destabilising force that has been a destabilising force in that region for a very long time, I think focusing on making sure that the people of Iran actually get the liberation that they deserve is the most important thing.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: So, you’re not calling for de-escalation?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, I think what we need to see — and of course, we all want to see the conflict end — we all want see the people of Iran being able to have the freedoms that we take for granted in countries like Australia. And nobody, I don’t think anybody wants to see any conflict, loss of life or injury for anybody, anywhere.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: Now, the ABC has actually confirmed that two military planes, a transport aircraft and a refueller have been sent to the Middle East after the war began. So, we are able to confirm that, but of course, we’ll find out more as the next couple of hours happen. On the sort of broader conflict that we’re seeing, there has been though a view that now that it’s widening, that’s a real danger of course to the world and the region. Would you like to see a de-escalation? I know I’ve laboured this point, but it reduced, or are you happy with the intensity of what we’re seeing?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, I mean, the point here is, of course, everybody wants to see a conflict end. I mean, I don’t know how anybody could say that they would want conflict. But we have a very challenging set of circumstances in that region and we have seen for many decades the implications of a regime that is quite prepared to completely and utterly disregard any of the rules that we all expect the world to play by. And we have seen the consequences of organisations like Hamas, like Hezbollah, like the Houthis, not just in the Middle East but they have spread out to other places around the world. And it seems quite a reasonable expectation that countries like Israel have the right to be able to defend themselves. So I think, you know - [interrupted].

PATRICIA KARVELAS: This wasn’t defensive, it was offensive.

ANNE RUSTON: But you’ve got to understand - I mean, I shouldn’t make that sound as condescending.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: No, no, no. You know, I’m saying this was a - [interrupted].

ANNE RUSTON: Sure, but the point being — I mean, we have seen this particular country create a massive destabilisation, cause incredible loss and damage around the world for so long and, quite frankly, it has to stop.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: I want to ask you about the Farrer by-election. Your former leader, Sussan Ley, moving on. The date’s been set. May the 12th is the date for that by-election. Your colleague, Andrew Bragg, says One Nation should be preferenced last. Is that your view?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, obviously, preferences I believe are a matter for the division.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: But they send a message too about how you view a group like One Nation. Should they be last?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, as I said, I’m not going to enter into the debate on preferences. I mean, I’ve probably got my own personal view. But, quite frankly, that’s a matter for the division. But I think the most important thing here is that we absolutely work tremendously hard to make sure that the people of Farrer have got a representative, and I believe that a Liberal representative is the best representative for that electorate. They’ve had one for 25 years. She was an amazing Member for Farrer for that period of time. And I think, you know, my focus is absolutely on making sure that we give the people of Farrer the best opportunity and an alternative to Sussan that will represent them in this Parliament.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: You have got a very interesting situation unfolding where you’ve basically got very few women, as you know, particularly in the Lower House. You’ve got one less if you take Sussan Ley out. Would you like to see a woman preselected into that seat?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, I’d love to see lots more women sitting on the Coalition benches in this place. You know, very sadly, there were a number of absolutely brilliant women that we had running at the election.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: But you could get one elected now if you tried to preselect one, right?

ANNE RUSTON: Well, I mean, obviously, the matter of preselections are for the members of the seat of Farrer.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: But what’s your view, as a leading moderate woman in the Party, who has been concerned about the dwindling numbers of women? Do you think that’s what has to happen?

ANNE RUSTON: Look, I would love to see more women in the Parliament, and if that means that we have a woman in Farrer, that’s great. But I mean, I am certainly not going to be telling the members of Farrer who they should preselect. That’s a matter for them. But would I be delighted if we had a female candidate? Absolutely, I would. And as I was saying, there were a lot of fabulous female candidates and some fantastic female members of Parliament who didn’t come back in 2025, and we’ve got to make sure that that is rectified in 2028.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: Anne Ruston, we’re out of time. Thank you.

ANNE RUSTON: My pleasure.

ENDS