I got into politics to make a difference and to do my bit for the community of Gippsland and Australia.
It has been an enormous honour and a privilege to serve in Cabinet in the best portfolio possible, infrastructure and transport. Over the past two years, I’ve been part of policy and project decisions which will change lives and save lives across our nation.
I’m proud of the work my team and I have done on behalf of the Government and I’m sorry we won’t get to finish some of the jobs we’ve started.
Naturally, I’m disappointed by The Leader of The Nationals’ decision to exclude me from his Cabinet team. Politics can be a tough business for all involved.
But life goes on and I will continue to support the Turnbull Government. We need to work together as a strong and united team and I will continue to demonstrate the loyalty and professionalism that is required for us to deliver the government that Australians deserve.
To that end, I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Gippsland with passion, enthusiasm and determination for many years to come.
I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for road safety and will campaign for increased investment in better, safer roads in regional areas.
I intend to remain very active in regional policy development with a focus on helping young people achieve their full potential; better connectivity for regional towns; and a fairer share of infrastructure investment to support jobs and further prosperity.
As a backbencher, I will also have more time to focus on two social policy areas that concern me deeply: the use of illicit substances such as ice and the incidence of suicide in regional areas, particularly among young people and defence force veterans.
There are many challenges, but there are also many opportunities in regional areas and we must be relentlessly optimistic and confident about the future.
I’m fortunate to live in the best region of the greatest nation in the world and I look forward to continuing to make a contribution to the great Australian success story.
Finally, I would like to thank my family and staff for the love, friendship and enormous support they have given me, particularly over the past four years in my Ministerial roles.
Together, we have helped to make a difference.
Darren Chester
The Nationals Member for Gippsland
#lovegippsland #myvalley