Mrs Gash will be attached to a Canadian delegation located in Aman in Jordan.

Mrs Gash has travelled extensively in the Middle East in public and private capacities and as chair of the Iran Parliamentary Group monitors events in the Middle East closely.

Mrs Gash headed a parliamentary delegation to Iran and has undertaken official trips to Oman and Jordan, as well as visiting Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria privately.

"The Middle East has always been a fascination because it's so diametrically opposed to the things we do," said Mrs Gash.

"We have so much in Australia and we can do with so much less, where many in these countries still struggle with the basic necessities.

"Of course there are religious and cultural differences, but they are still people."

Mrs Gash said she felt privileged and honoured to have been selected as an observer to the elections, to be held on January 30.