Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Milton Dick MP, have launched the 2026 My First Speech Competition for Gippsland students. The national competition invites students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to imagine...
2009 Archive
LONGFORD STUDENTS IMPRESS WITH CIVICS KNOWLEDGE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has praised Longford Primary School students for their impressive understanding of Australian democracy, government and community leadership following a visit to the school. Mr Chester spent time with both the Grade 1 and 2...
CHESTER TABLES TRARALGON BYPASS PETITION IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has formally tabled a petition in Federal Parliament calling on the House of Representatives and Victorian Government to work together to progress the long-awaited Traralgon bypass. Signed by more than 1300 Gippslanders, the...
MALLACOOTA GOLF CLUB OFFICIALLY OPENED
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Mallacoota Golf Club president Max Donovan at Saturday’s official opening of the redeveloped course. Mr Chester had the honour of hitting the first ball on the course after helping to secure almost $2 million in funding...
NO GUARANTEE FOR FARMERS UNDER LABOR’S TAX HIT
The Albanese Government has refused to guarantee Australian farming families they won’t be worse off under the capital gains tax changes introduced to Federal Parliament. With peak agriculture bodies warning farmers could face massively higher capital gains tax bills...
Australians want their country back
Darren Chester MP: I must say to anyone listening at home: you must feel like you're in a parallel universe when you hear contributions from the government saying that everything's rosy, everything's great, and Australians have never had it better. In the real world,...
CHESTER VISITS ASIC IN TRARALGON
After touring the facility and meeting staff, Mr Chester said ASIC also benefited because country people were more likely to remain in their roles and provide a continuity of service for the organisation.
SURF CLUB DEVELOPING GREAT AUSTRALIANS: CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has congratulated Surf Lifesaving Lakes Entrance club members for ‘developing great Australians’ at the club’s 2025-26 season awards nights. Mr Chester spoke after the club welcomed three new life members and recognised the...
‘TOO MANY CUTS TO REMEMBER THEM ALL’: CHESTER
The Prime Minister has been caught lying again in a Canberra media conference where he falsely claimed an Australian wine tourism and cellar door program has been ‘saved’ by defecting independent Senator Tammy Tyrrell. Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and...
BUDGET ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’ FOR FARMERS
Despite handing down the highest taxing Federal Budget in history, the Albanese Government cut the agriculture budget by more than $190 million in a ‘slap in the face for Australian farmers’, according to Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Darren...
FERTILISER SCHEME FAILS TO HIT THE MARK
Federal Government interference could reduce the amount of fertiliser available to Australian farmers this year, according to Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the Albanese Government’s commitment to underwrite...
GIPPSLANDERS URGED TO COMMEMORATE ANZAC DAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has urged Gippslanders to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families on Anzac Day. Mr Chester says commemorative services across the region are an opportunity to ‘give...
CHESTER SUPPORTS LANDCARE PROJECT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has congratulated the Paynesville Landcare Coastcare Group on the successful completion of environmental works at a reserve in Eagle Point, supporting the ongoing development of the Dinni Birraark Walk. Mr Chester met with...
GIPPSLANDERS URGED TO BACK TRARALGON BYPASS PETITION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is set to table a petition in parliament calling for the fast tracking of the Traralgon bypass and has urged Gippslanders to add their names to the campaign. Mr Chester said the petition was available for signing at his...
CHESTER WELCOMES GENEROUS GIPPSLAND LAUNCH
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the establishment of Generous Gippsland, a new community fund launched by the Gippsland Community Foundation to support community-led projects and create lasting local change. Mr Chester said the initiative,...
Call to Fast Track National Food Security Strategy
LETTER TO THE EDITOR A deteriorating global strategic environment has strengthened the need to fast track the ‘National Food Security Strategy’ and elevate the issue of food and fibre security to a matter of national importance. When it comes to food security, I agree...
INTEREST-FREE LOANS NEEDED FOR AGRICULTURE AMID FUEL CRISIS
The Albanese Government should release the details of its plan to provide interest-free loans to businesses impacted by the fuel crisis and add the agricultural sector to the program. Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability Andrew Hastie said the Labor...
HUB BOOSTS HEALTH ACCESS IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the growth in The Centre Combined Health in Bairnsdale, describing it as an innovative approach to improving access to healthcare services in regional communities. Mr Chester recently visited the purpose-built...
EDUCATION GAP FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has highlighted growing concerns about gaps and inconsistencies in the education system for children with autism, following a meeting with a local mother worried her son may be left without a suitable schooling option. Mr...
EAST GIPPSLAND FIELD DAYS: CHESTER
The East Gippsland Field Days are much more than a social event on the local calendar. They are a celebration of the people, industries and community spirit that make our region unique. By bringing together farmers, families, businesses, community groups and visitors...













