Nationality Australian | Spouse(s) Julie Chester Name Darren Chester | |
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Full Name Darren Jeffrey Chester Children Morgan, Jamieson, Clancy, Lachlan Occupation Journalist, Political advisor Role Member of the Australian House of Representatives Party National Party of Australia Profiles | ||
Sale anzac day service 2015 federal member for gippsland darren chester
Darren Jeffrey Chester (born 13 September 1967) is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives for Gippsland in Victoria, representing the Nationals since 2008. Chester served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence in the Abbott ministry from September 2013 to September 2015. In the Turnbull Government he was appointed Assistant Minister for Defence from 21 September 2015; and on 18 February 2016 Chester was sworn in as the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport following a rearrangement in the First Turnbull Ministry.
Contents
- Sale anzac day service 2015 federal member for gippsland darren chester
- Getting to know darren chester mp
- Career
- Personal
- References
Getting to know darren chester mp
Career
Chester was born in Sale, Victoria, the son of a plumber, and was one of five children.
Prior to entering federal politics, he worked as a newspaper and television journalist throughout Gippsland and was chief of staff to Peter Ryan, the leader of the Nationals in the Victorian state parliament. Chester contested Gippsland East as the National Party candidate at the 2002 Victorian state election, losing to independent Craig Ingram. In 2004, he unsuccessfully stood for National Party preselection for the Senate position held by Julian McGauran. McGauran retained his party endorsement and was re-elected later that year, only to defect to the Liberals in 2006.
Chester was elected to the House of Representatives at the 2008 by-election caused by the resignation of Peter McGauran, and re-elected at the 2010 and 2013 elections.
He was appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport in September 2010; and appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence in September 2013.
In June 2015 he became the first member of the National Party to announce support for same-sex marriage and a conscience vote on the issue for members of the Coalition
Personal
Chester lives in Lakes Entrance with his wife, Julie, and their four children, Morgan, Jamieson, Clancy and Lachlan.