TRANSCRIPT
ABC RIVERLAND BREAKFAST WITH MATT STEPHENS
30 May 2025
Topics: Coalition agreement, new shadow ministry announced, health, aged care and disability portfolios
E&OE…………………………………
Matt Stephens: Someone who did get a ministry is Senator Anne Ruston. The Senator picked up Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Shadow Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Shadow Minister for Sport. Quite the portfolio. Senator good morning.
Anne Ruston: Good morning, Matt.
Matt Stephens: Do you think the Coalition split and then coming back together in such a short space of time has shown that there are divisions here?
Anne Ruston: Look, I think obviously it was unfortunate that we had to split at all, but I think the most important thing is that we are back together, because there's absolutely no doubt that we're stronger when we're in coalition. And so, I was really delighted that we were able to really quickly iron out those couple of concerns that existed between our two parties very, very quickly, so now we can just get on with the job that really matters and that is being an alternative government and holding the Government to account.
Matt Stephens: I suppose time will tell how the Coalition is actually operating within itself, but the Liberal Party in both South Australia and nationally has been accused of not promoting women and giving the new shadow ministry, and with the fallout from the election. What's your take on that?
Anne Ruston: Well, obviously, I was really delighted in South Australia to see that three of our South Australian women are on the front bench. Delighted that Kerrynne Liddle, who's an absolutely outstanding performer, has now moved to the Shadow Cabinet with Indigenous Affairs and Social Services, but also that the newest member of our team Leah Blyth has had the opportunity to come forward and do work in that same social services portfolio area, developing policy around families and communities. So, I think it's a really great sign for South Australia that we've got a really strong female front to that talent pool. But across Australia we've seen some great women promoted, but the reality is that, you know, in a team as small as we are now - because of the quite devastating impact of the election result and we have to be realistic about that, we did get a very sound message from the Australian public at the election - not every member of our team needs to be in the Shadow Cabinet to make a contribution to the rebuild and the reforming of a strong Opposition. So, I'm very keen to work with all of my colleagues that are in the Parliament to make sure that happens.
Matt Stephens: Senator Anne Ruston is a Senator in South Australia. Anne, just before we move on to your new portfolios that you've got there, I did mention that Member for Barker Tony Pasin missed out on getting a spot in the ministry, in the Shadow Cabinet there and has been moved to the back bench. Do you think that the Member for Barker will still be able to be as effective even without a ministry?
Anne Ruston: Look, absolutely. Tony has been an effective member of parliament, you know, well before he moved into a shadow ministry position in recent times. I mean, he's been in the parliament now, I think, for 10 or 12 years. And I think the people of Barker have been well served by a member who has always fought really hard for the interest of his electorate and the interests of rural and regional Australia, and I'm absolutely confident that Tony will continue to be a really loud and strong voice on behalf of the people in this community. He's done so for 12 years. I can't see why he wouldn't continue to do so now.
Matt Stephens: These portfolios are all new to you and there's actually quite a mix there as well. How do you go about keeping across all of those different areas from sport through to disability?
Anne Ruston: Well, interestingly, they are all portfolios I have had before. I was, in the previous term, the Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care and had sport, and in the Morrison Government I was actually the Minister for Social Services with responsibility for disability. So I'm really delighted to have all of those portfolios together, because I think one of the things that we do need to start doing is looking at care as a united and coordinated package of portfolios that are delivering the care services that Australians need, and I think at the moment they're much more siloed than they need to be. So, I'm looking really forward to first of all holding the Government to account on all the promises that they've made - and life is not easy and good out there in the healthcare sector at the moment. I mean, I'm sure your listeners are probably sick of hearing me say that it's never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor, but that's the reality and we need to work to make sure that Australians are able to get easy access, affordable access and timely access to the care they need, no matter who they are or where they are.
Matt Stephens: Leading into the federal election we spoke about Medicare in particular and I know that the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was very big on talking about Medicare and an overhaul there and also making it easier to see a doctor. Does this now give you the ammunition to go in and fight for that to actually happen?
Anne Ruston: Look, absolutely. I will be fighting every single day to hold the Government to account for the promises that they made to Australians, because the reality is under this government's watch the last three years, on every measure, access and affordability of health care has gone backwards, as well as the wait lists have blown out in home care for older Australians getting access to the care they've been assessed as needing. So, I have a very important role of holding the Government to account for their promises, but also to advocate on behalf of Australians who are missing out on the level of care that I believe that they are entitled to, because you can't, in the case of somebody who's been assessed as needing an aged care package, make them wait months if not years before they get that care. That just seems an unacceptable situation in modern Australia.
Matt Stephens: I don't think anyone would disagree with you on that there, Senator Anne Ruston, a Senator for South Australia. But it's all well and good to be saying that you'll hold the Government to account, but given the Government's got a fair majority, that's going to be difficult. So what will you bring to the table in these portfolios?
Anne Ruston: Well, there are a number of ways that you can respond to this. One is, obviously, publicly use the media to make sure that when the Government makes comments, that there's an alternative point of view in the media and that you call them out if you believe they're making statements that are either false or undeliverable. Secondly, I think there's also a responsibility for a responsible Opposition to work with the Government on constructive reforms. I did that with aged care. I know Michael Sukkar did it with the reforms to the NDIS. So, we can work behind the scenes and make sure that we are positive and productive by working with the Government to make changes that are in the best interests of Australians. But equally, if we think the Government is not doing that, then we do have the microphone that you provide us, as the media, to make sure that we call those things out. And I think we've seen people at elections get the opportunity to decide whether their government's doing the right thing or the wrong thing, and so I've got a very big job to make that I provide a positive face for the Opposition as the alternative government, but at the same time holding the Government to account for delivering for Australians too.
Matt Stephens: Senator Anne Ruston, thanks for your time.
ENDS
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