Anne Ruston retains aged care in Opposition reshuffle

New Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has confirmed the South Australian Senator will retain the Health and Aged Care Portfolio, continuing her role of holding the Government to account.

Senator Anne Ruston will also remain in Shadow Cabinet, one of few Sussan Ley supporters to keep their positions, and continues as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

In a statement, the Senator said: “Under the Albanese Labor Government, it has never been harder or more expensive to access essential health and aged care support. 

“Right now, thousands of older Australians are stranded in hospital beds across the country because they cannot access the support they need through our aged care system.”

She said the wait list for Home Care Packages continues to blow out, with more than 131,000 older Australians currently waiting for support for an average of 9 months. 

“Ensuring our health and aged care systems deliver timely, affordable and quality support with real choice remains a key priority,” she said.

Senator Kerrynne Liddle will support Senator Ruston in the role of Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care. 

Anne Ruston played a central role negotiating changes to the Aged Care Act 2024, including grandfathering arrangements and lifetime care caps.

Along with Independent Senator David Pocock and Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne, she was also instrumental in forcing the Government to release 40,000 Home Care Packages late last year. She has consistently pressed the Government on its aged care agenda through Senate Estimates and Inquiry hearings, as recently as this week.

Angie Bell MP takes on Sport, a portfolio that Senator Ruston had previously held.

The Senator was appointed Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care in 2022.