July 4, 2016
Statement attributable to Darren Chester MP, The Nationals Member for Gippsland:
It was an extraordinarily humbling outcome to receive an increased vote in Gippsland when results around Australia were flowing against the Coalition Government.
I am indebted to my family, hard-working staff and volunteers at grassroots level who do an amazing amount of work to help me in my role. I would like to thank them all for their ongoing support and encouragement.
I would also like to thank all of the other candidates for the professional and respectful manner in which the campaign was conducted locally. While Labor at a national level was scaring Australians with a misleading fear campaign on Medicare, the campaign in Gippsland was positive and a credit to all involved.
It remains to be seen whether the Coalition can form a majority government but I remain optimistic that I will be in a position to deliver on all of the plans I announced during the campaign.
As pre-poll and postal votes are counted this week, we will have a clearer understanding of the national picture.
Regardless of the final outcome, I’m determined to keep delivering results for the region I love. I’ve been elected to represent all Gippslanders and I will seek to unite our community and work with other levels of government to deliver the infrastructure and services we need to make our region an even better place to live, work and visit.
There’s no time to waste, the work starts today and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
CAPTION: Darren Chester voting at his former school, Sale College, with son Lachlan on election day
