Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, and Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien, have today announced the Victorian Liberal and Nationals’ new Shadow Cabinet. This renewed team reflects all walks of life and draws upon the breadth of experience, passion and knowledge held by members within the Victorian Parliamentary Liberal and National parties. Over…
DetailsVictorians are being left without clear answers on the Allan Labor Government’s ability to confront the illicit tobacco trade. At the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC), it was confirmed the long-awaited Tobacco Retailer and Wholesaler Licensing Scheme will finally be enforced from 1 February 2026. But when asked whether just 14 inspectors would be enough to monitor…
DetailsResidents at Crossley House in Yarram are among the first Gippslanders to receive their copy of Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester’s free 2026 #lovegippsland calendar, with the aged care facility one of several to receive a direct delivery this week. Mr Chester said his office delivers boxes of calendars directly to aged care homes each year…
DetailsAustralia’s world-leading rates of melanoma and skin cancer serve as a stark reminder to stay vigilant about sun protection as ultraviolet (UV) levels rise heading into summer, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester, who co-chairs the Parliamentary Friends of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness alongside Minister for Education Jason Clare, attended…
DetailsThe native hardwood and plantation timber industry are both facing ‘deaths by a thousand cuts’ after a Labor-Greens deal to pass reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act (EPBC), according to local MP Darren Chester. The Federal Member for Gippsland said the Albanese Government had failed to back some of Australia’s leading forest scientists…
DetailsThe Coalition say a dirty deal between Labor and the Greens will be economically destructive, after changes to environmental laws were passed this morning in the final sitting day of 2025. Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government, Territories and Regional Communications and Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster MP said the new arrangements apply…
DetailsTaxpayers will have to stump up an additional $1.3 billion to meet Labor’s target to buy back 450 gigalitres of water for environmental flows in the Murray-Darling Basin, almost double the original funding allocation of $1.575 billion. Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Shadow Minister for Regional Communications, Member for Mallee…
DetailsGippslanders are waiting more than twice as long for public dental care than they were a decade ago. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said data obtained under Freedom of Information from Dental Health Services Victoria by the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Inc reveals that average wait times for general public dental…
DetailsThe Allan Government has refused to adopt ‘Jack’s Law’ in Victoria, despite escalating knife crime across the state. Jack’s Law was created in Queensland in response to the tragic stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019. It gives police the power to use hand-held metal detectors to stop and scan people with wands for…
DetailsFederal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has accused the Victorian Labor Government of gambling with the safety and lives of Gippslanders and visitors by failing to act on long-overdue upgrades to the Mallacoota–Genoa Road, despite $10 million in federal funding being secured four years ago. Mr Chester said the road, which was identified as a top priority by…
DetailsFederal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to support local businesses this holiday season, including the many artisans, creators and small producers who contribute so much to the region’s economy and community spirit. During a visit to Emporium 3844 in Traralgon, Mr Chester met with owner Rebecca Somerville and toured the new retail space,…
DetailsThe Nationals Member for Gippsland South and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O’Brien has congratulated local Marine Search and Rescue, CFA, SES and Surf Life Saving units on receiving funding through the latest round of the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP). Mr O’Brien highlighted that these volunteers play an essential role in…
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