STATEMENT ON INCREASE TO JOBSEEKER BASE RATE

Today’s decision to permanently increase the Jobseeker base rate by $50 per fortnight is a fair approach to a notoriously difficult issue. Jobseeker was temporarily set at emergency levels to support people through the pandemic but the increase was not sustainable and...

HELPING HOTELS LOWER THEIR POWER BILLS

Small and medium hotels across Gippsland can access support to lower their power bills and invest in their business. Local MP Darren Chester said hotels, motels and serviced apartment complexes with up to 99 rooms can access grants up to $25,000 for energy-saving...

LAKES TO LIGHT UP THIS WINTER

Lakes Entrance will come alive this winter with the inaugural East Gippsland Winter Festival. Local MP Darren Chester secured a $35,745 grant to support the festival and highlight event Lakes Lights. “The East Gippsland Winter Festival will celebrate our region and...

CHESTER ATTENDS LAUNCH OF YOUTH INSEARCH END SUICIDE CAMPAGIN

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester attended the launch of the Youth Insearch End Suicide campaign this week at Parliament House. Mr Chester said Youth Insearch was the only Australian organisation dedicated to helping young people face trauma through peer...

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR LOCAL DRUG ACTION TEAMS

More Local Drug Action Teams are set to rollout across Australia as the Federal Government continues to take action to combat the scourge of ice, alcohol and other drugs. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said applications were now open for registration of...

LIFE-SAVING FUNDING FOR GIPPSLAND ROADS

Lives will be saved as some of Gippsland’s worst roads receive a $25 million funding boost, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the Federal Government was providing $20 million for the road safety program with the State Government contributing $5...

THE COLOURS OF GIPPSLAND

2021 #LOVEGIPPSLAND CALENDAR COMPETITION

Darren Chester’s 2021 #lovegippsland “The Colours of Gippsland” calendars are now available at various outlets throughout Gippsland, including the electorate offices in Sale and Traralgon. Alternatively please contact the office on 1300 131 785 to arrange for one to be posted out to you.

Putting Locals First

Let Darren Know

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Darren’s Twitter

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at 4:51am
#YourADF has continued to help out on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those supporting as part of the NSW Government's Quarantine Compliance Monitoring Program are among the first Australians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Keep up the great work. #TYFYS #OurPeople https://t.co/AaH5ZQtt8e
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at 1:20am
A World War II veteran has returned to where his career in the @Australian_Navy began almost 70 years ago. Former Able Seaman Ron Bergman, aged 94, served between 1942-47 as an AA3 gunner. Read his story: https://t.co/IAUyOGuo0B #TYFYS #OurVeterans https://t.co/WJ1EGGeC4a DarrenChesterMP photo
Monday, February 22nd, 2021 at 9:00pm
Happy birthday to John French who is 100 today. John enlisted in the @AustralianArmy & was a sapper, stationed in Australia & Borneo. John’s secret to his long life is keeping fit & active, & looking after family & friends. #TYFYS #OurVeterans https://t.co/s55S3YqPWs DarrenChesterMP photo

Darren’s Facebook

Darren Chester MP

Official Page of The Nationals Member for Gippsland, Federal Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel. Check out Darren's personal page at https://www.facebook.com/darren.chester.524
Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester MPTuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at 7:44am
#YourADF has continued to help out on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those supporting as part of the NSW Government's Quarantine Compliance Monitoring Program are among the first Australians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Keep up the great work.

#TYFYS #OurPeople
Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester MPTuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at 4:06am
Today’s decision to permanently increase the Jobseeker base rate by $50 per fortnight is a fair approach to a notoriously difficult issue.

Jobseeker was temporarily set at emergency levels to support people through the pandemic but the increase was not sustainable and was potentially acting as a disincentive to people getting a job.

The increased coronavirus supplement will be phased out at the end of March, and replaced by the new base rate of approximately $620 per fortnight.

Importantly, people can earn $150 per fortnight without any impact on that base rate.

In making these decisions, the Federal Government has carefully considered the balance between trying to encourage people to take jobs as they become available, while at the same time supporting Australians who find themselves out of work.

It is the biggest permanent increase in unemployment benefits since 1986 and sets the base rate at 41% of the minimum wage.
Keep in mind, many people who receive Jobseeker, also receive other payments such as rental assistance and family payments, to support their household incomes.

I’m not suggesting it’s easy to live on welfare payments and I understand that many Gippslanders find themselves unemployed through no fault of their own. Our welfare safety net is intended to help people get back on their feet and find a new job.

On that point, I am constantly contacted by small business owners and farmers who report they have jobs available in our region but some people are unwilling to work. This is where the Federal Government needs to get the balance right with ‘mutual obligation’ requirements intended to make sure people are genuinely seeking employment as they receive taxpayer-funded benefits.

We will have an ‘employer reporting line’ established to allow for business owners to report people who reject suitable jobs they are qualified to undertake, to overcome persistent concerns about some people refusing to take jobs.

The changes announced today are intended to make sure the mutual obligation rules are followed and we actually help unemployed people get back to work as soon as possible. It’s not intended as a punishment - the best form of welfare is helping people get a job.

I appreciate this will be a controversial issue with many different views but as I said at the outset, I believe the increase to the Jobseeker base rate is fair, and gets the balance right between providing much-needed support and still providing incentives for Australians to take jobs as they become available.

Feel free to comment but please be respectful of other opinions.

#lovegippsland
Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester MPTuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at 12:00am
Congratulations to John French who was born in Young, NSW, 100 years ago today.

In February 1943, John enlisted in the Australian Army and was a sapper. He was stationed in Australia and Borneo and served for three years.

After the war, John worked in real estate.

John’s secret to his long life is keeping fit and active, and looking after family and friends. He still lives independently in his own home and walks his dog every day.

Happy birthday John and thank you for your service.

#TYFYS #OurVeterans

About Darren

Darren Chester was elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Gippsland on June 26, 2008.

Darren Chester was sworn in as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC on 5 March 2018.

ABOUT GIPPSLAND

Gippsland is one of the most diverse regions in Australia and our community is dispersed across 33,000 square kilometres.

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