Hon Darren Chester MP

Hon Darren Chester MP

Member for Gippsland

Party
The Nationals
Chamber
House of Representatives

Seating Plan

Seating map

Electorate Office 1

(Principal Office)

Level 1, 89 Raymond Street
Sale, VIC, 3850

Postal address

PO Box 486
Sale, VIC, 3853

Telephone:
(03) 5144 6744
Fax:
(03) 5144 3945

Electorate Office 2

126 Franklin Street
Traralgon, VIC, 3844

Postal address

126 Franklin Street
Traralgon, VIC, 3844

Telephone:
(03) 5174 1341
Fax:
(03) 5176 0719

Parliament Office

PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Telephone:
(02) 6277 4728

Biography

Parliamentary service
  • Elected to the House of Representatives for Gippsland, Victoria at by-election 2008, vice the Hon. P McGauran (resigned). Re-elected 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.
Parliamentary positions
  • Member of the Speaker's Panel from 30.7.2021 to 11.4.2022.
Ministerial appointments
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
  • Assistant Minister for Defence from 21.9.2015 to 18.2.2016.
  • Minister for Infrastructure and Transport from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
  • Cabinet Minister from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
  • Cabinet Minister from 5.3.2018 to 28.8.2018.
  • Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 5.3.2018 to 2.7.2021.
  • Minister for Defence Personnel from 5.3.2018 to 2.7.2021.
  • Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC from 5.3.2018 to 29.5.2019.
  • Cabinet Minister from 6.2.2020 to 2.7.2021.
Acting Ministries
  • Acting Minister for Regional Development from 27.10.2017 to 20.12.2017.
  • Acting Minister for Local Government and Territories from 27.10.2017 to 20.12.2017.
Committee service
  • House of Representatives Select: Regional Development and Decentralisation served from 6.2.2018 to 7.2.2018; Regional Development and Decentralisation served as Chair from 8.2.2018 to 5.3.2018
  • House of Representatives Standing: Petitions served from 26.8.2008 to 5.8.2013; Communications and the Arts served from 6.2.2018 to 11.4.2019; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 1.8.2022 to 22.3.2023; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 27.3.2023 to present
  • Joint Select: Road Safety served as Chair from 26.8.2021 to 25.3.2022
  • Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 2.6.2011 to 9.12.2011; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 6.2.2018 to 1.7.2019; National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022; Electoral Matters served from 1.8.2022 to 22.3.2023; Electoral Matters served from 27.3.2023 to present
  • Joint Statutory: Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity served from 26.8.2008 to 19.7.2010; Public Accounts and Audit served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022; Public Works served from 1.8.2022 to 4.8.2022
Parliamentary party positions
  • The Nationals. Served: 28.06.2008 to present
  • Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.
  • Shadow Minister for Regional Education from 4.1.2023.
  • Shadow Minister for Regional Development from 4.1.2023.
  • Shadow Minister for Local Government and Territories from 4.1.2023.
  • Deputy Leader of the House from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
  • Deputy Leader of the House from 5.3.2018 to 2.7.2021.
Party positions
  • Councillor for the Nationals (Vic.) from 2002 to 2004.
Personal
  • Born: 13.9.1967, Sale, Australia
  • Gender: Male
  • Marital Status: Married
Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament
  • Newspaper and television journalist from 1986 to 1998.
  • Self-employed marketing consultant from 1998 to 2002.
  • Executive Officer of Champions of the Bush from 2002 to 2004.
  • Chief of Staff to P Ryan, MLA (Vic.) from 2004 to 2008.
Electorate
  • Name: Gippsland
  • Location: The Division of Gippsland consists of: East Gippsland Shire Council, Wellington Shire Council, part of Baw Baw Shire Council, part of Latrobe City Council, and the unincorporated area of Gabo Island.
  • Area: 33,182 Sq km
  • Electors enrolled: 110,538 (at 11.6.2019)
  • Industries: Farming and agriculture, gas and electricity, mining, health care, retail, education and training, and correctional and defence services, tourism, forestry and fishing.

We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images and voices of deceased people.