Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he’s “honoured and excited” to be returning to a more senior role in the Coalition as the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.
Mr Chester said he was looking forward to the challenge of representing the interests of veterans and their families while participating in broader Shadow Cabinet deliberations.
“It is a challenging time in our nation’s history, and the conversations we will need to have in Shadow Cabinet will require maturity, common sense and a practical understanding of how government decisions can impact the lives of everyday families in our cities and regional areas,” Mr Chester said.
“We need to quickly learn the lessons from the federal election result and unite as a Coalition to hold the government to account, in the interests of the people who send us to Canberra to represent them.
“The Labor Party machine is good at campaigning but not so great at governing, with our rural, regional and remote communities bearing the brunt of policies which have ignored our needs.
“All of the issues that existed prior to the election remain areas of concern for Australians. Everything from cost of living, increased crime, crumbling infrastructure, poor access to critical services and global uncertainty will require clear-thinking and decisive action.”
Mr Chester said his return to the veterans portfolio after serving as a Minister for 2018-2021 would allow him to focus on the wellbeing of all service personnel and their families, including the implementation of key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
“It was the greatest honour of my working life to represent veterans and defence personnel within the Ministry, and I recognise it is one of the portfolios where you can actually make a difference and sometimes save people’s lives,” Mr Chester said.
“Our veterans and their families have helped to keep us safe and protected the freedoms we all enjoy today, and in return, we need to provide assistance, if it’s required, once they have left the defence force.
“Wherever possible, I will be working in a bipartisan manner in the interests of the men and women who have served because support for our veterans should be above day-to-day politics.
“We have a world-class and highly respected Australian Defence Force. We should be proud of them.
“Our capability edge in the ADF is our people. Obviously, we need to keep investing in the equipment to allow them to undertake their task, but it is their skills and the training they receive that sets them apart.
“Whether it’s during conflicts, peacekeeping missions, or humanitarian aid and disaster relief, they need to be well-prepared and well-equipped to do their jobs. Our ADF personnel are respected for their capabilities and the manner in which they undertake difficult tasks at home and abroad.
“The majority of ADF personnel will serve our nation with distinction and transition successfully to civilian life and a new career.
“But it is a job which comes with inherent risks of death and injuries, and as the Veterans Covenant states, ‘for what they have done, this we will do’.
“As a grateful nation, we are obliged to support our veterans if ever they need assistance from the Australian Government.”
Mr Chester said he was also looking forward to the completion of the major redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial, which was funded by the previous Coalition Government, and considering more options for commemorative activities in rural and regional areas.
“The AWM is not only a museum… it’s a place that holds the stories of service and sacrifice which have helped to define our nation’s values and identity,” Mr Chester said.
“As much as possible, we need to expand that work to maintain the cenotaphs, memorial halls and historic military sites that exist in Australia and throughout our region.”
