The Hon Darren Chester MP

Prior to entering Federal Parliament, Darren was a newspaper and television journalist in regional Victoria. His involvement in the National Party began when he became the Chief of Staff to the Leader of The Nationals in Victoria, Peter Ryan.

In June 2008, Darren was elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Gippsland in a by-election following the retirement of the Hon Peter McGauran. Darren was re-elected in 2010 and served as the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, a position he held until the September 2013 federal election.

Upon the election of the Coalition Government in 2013, Darren was appointed to serve as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence.

Darren has been an active member of various Parliamentary and community-based Committees. Darren is a former Chief Executive Officer of regional lobby group Champions of the Bush and served two terms as President of the Lakes Entrance Business Tourism Association (LEBTA), where he was heavily involved in tourism marketing and organising major events. Darren has also led various community campaigns and has been actively involved in projects to improve the environment of the world-renowned Gippsland Lakes.

Born and educated in Sale, Victoria, in 1967, Darren currently lives in Lakes Entrance with his wife Julie and their four children. Darren is a keen sportsman who enjoys boating, camping and running marathons. He also assists as a volunteer with his children’s junior sporting interests, including the Lakes Entrance Surf Lifesaving Club and Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club.