Chester returns to the front bench

FEDERAL MP Darren Chester has returned to the Coalition’s front-bench for the first time since 2021.

The Member forGippslandhas been appointed as Shadow Minister for Regional Education, RegionalDevelopment, Local Government and Territories.

Mr Chesterwas previously Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel in the Morrison government,beforelosing the portfolios in acabinet reshuffle. He has been elevatedtohis newroles at the expense of the Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, who resigned from the NationalParty overits stanceonaVoice to Parliament.

In astatement, Mr Chester welcomed the confidenceshown in him by the federal leaderofThe Nationals,David Littleproud, and pledged to “workconstructively to achieve positive outcomes for all regional Australians.”

“Wherever possible, Iwill work in abipartisan waywiththe responsible Ministers but will have no hesitation in highlighting areas for improvement as we develop the Coalition’s policies in consultation with communitiesand stakeholders across Australia,” he said.

“Small town Australia needs big voices in Federal Parliament.”

Mr Chestersaid he would bring his experience in government and opposition to the new role and focus on delivering polices, programs, infrastructureand services that improve the lives of people who choose to live outside the capital cities.

“Weneedtokeep investing in regional educationfor our youthtoachievetheir full potential astradespeople,running their own business or farm, or undertaking tertiary studies,” he said.

“Wehave already made access to university moreaffordable for students forced to move away from the regions, now we need to improve accesstotertiary studies in our own communities.”

Mr Chester saidthe previous government understood the need to improve regional transport and telecommunication connectivity, while also investing in the liveability of country communities, to attract and retain skilled workers.

“Long-term and sustainable jobs are fundamental to regional development and growth. We need to keep adding value and creatingnew opportunities in our traditional industries across regional Australia, while alsosupportinginvestment in emerging industries,” he said.

“That means morepeople working on the ground in regional Australia to control feral animals and weeds, undertakebushfire protection andprevention activities, support disasterresilience, and practical action to improve water qualityinour lakes and rivers.”

Mr Chester said over the past 20 years in Gippsland, therehad been areduction in the workforce to undertake practical environmental work and an explosion in the city-based bureaucrats writing reports.

“As the custodians of avast public land estate, we needtobetraining alocal workforce and providing morecareer opportunities in natural resource management, disaster prevention, and ecotourismin regional areas across our nation,” he said.

In November, Mr Littleproud and his fellow partymembers announced that The Nationalswould not be supporting aconstitutionally-enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Their position was widely criticised by commentatorsat the time,withFirst Nations activist and lawyer Noel Pearson accusing Mr Littleproud of being “incapable of the leadership that’snecessaryfor the country and for his party”.

Mr Chester, who was in New York when the announcement was made, has publicly supported his party’s stance.

“The Nationals believe the Voice, as it is currently proposed, will not advance the primary aim of Closing the Gap and dealing with real issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Chester wrote in aFacebook post.

“It will not economically empower people and sadly,Ifearit could widen divisions which already exist in our nation.”

Mr Gee, who was also not present for The Nationals’ announcement, has confirmed that he continues to support aVoice.

Mr Chester has previously said that Mr Gee should resign from parliament and stand again in aby-election as an independent candidate.