Nationals MP Darren Chester has been voted in for a seventh term as Federal Member for Gippsland.
The Gippsland seat was the first Victorian electorate announced hours after polling booths closed on Saturday evening.
Mr Chester was retained with a less than one per cent swing towards the Labor Party across first preference voting and two-candidate preferred system.
However, it was a grim election for the Liberals/Nationals Coalition, the party losing key seats with leader Peter Dutton also losing his seat in parliament.
Mr Chester said he was excited to earn another term in parliament and was eager to strengthen his relationship with government in a bid to get the best outcome for Gippsland and its residents.
“I am humbled by the vote of confidence I have received from locals in the federal election over the past two weeks of polling,”
he said.
“Along with my team, I am excited about the opportunity to continue representing Gippslanders in Federal Parliament and determined to make sure we fight for a fair share of resources for our region. Our nation always benefits when the regions are prosperous.
“The overall result was incredibly disappointing for regional Australia with the Albanese Government returned for a second term but I sincerely congratulate the Prime Minister on his win. At the same time, I urge him to keep his promise to govern for all Australians and do more to help us.
“He needs to invite experienced rural and regional MPs like me to meet with his advisers and department staff to ensure policies are fit for purpose outside the cities. He actually needs to listen to the concerns of rural and regional Australians which were completely ignored by the Labor Party during his first term.
“Sadly, our nation is more divided in geographic terms than ever before with the Labor Party dominating the metropolitan areas and showing no regard for the issues in rural, regional and remote areas like Gippsland.
“My colleagues in the Liberal Party have a lot of work to do as they seek to reconnect with voters and I won’t be running a commentary on their campaign. Australia is stronger when we have competitive tension between our major political parties and a debate over ideas, not a presidential-style personality contest.
“I will be doing everything I can to fight for a fair share of resources for regional roads, community infrastructure and critical services in health, aged care, childcare and disability services.”
Mr Chester said Gippsland has a bright future if managed correctly.
“One of the main reasons why I wanted to continue as the Member for Gippsland is to help all young people growing up in our region to achieve their full potential and to let them know that anything is possible if they work hard, and are passionate about their studies, or the jobs they do,” he said.
“We grow great food and fibre in the regions and we also grow great kids. We should never sell ourselves short and we should be proud of everything our region contributes to the nation, and we need to invest more in helping the next generation.”
