Anne Sowerby Ruston (born 10 June 1963) is an Australian politician who served as Minister for Families and Social Services in the Morrison government from 2019 to 2022.

[5] Ruston oversaw the construction phase of the centre, announcing three months prior to its opening in 2001 that she would not renew her contract.

[3] By the time of her departure the centre was employing over 100 people,[7] but was reportedly struggling to break even and required a bailout from the state government.

Its financial difficulties were attributed to a decline in air travel following the September 11 attacks and the collapse of Ansett Australia.

However, independent MP Peter Lewis stated that the business plan approved by Ruston and Allert overstated likely visitor numbers.

[11] However, as a result of the Millennium drought she had to suspend commercial growing for three years, and the gardens subsequently evolved into "primarily a retail-tourism business" with the addition of a tourism centre, function rooms and cafe.

[1] Following the 2019 election, Ruston was elevated to the Cabinet and was appointed Minister for Families and Social Services in the Second Morrison Ministry.

[18][19] In 2017, when Cory Bernardi moved a motion to ban sex-selective abortion, Ruston was one of the ten senators who voted in favour.