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  2. The Hon Darren Chester MP (Former Assistant Minister for Defence)
The Hon Darren Chester MP

The Hon Darren Chester MP (Former Assistant Minister for Defence)

Assistant Minister for Defence

Media contacts

  • Brie Colley (Mr Chester’s office) (02) 6277 4029
  • James Cannon (Tribunal) 0433 884 238
  • Defence Media (02) 6127 1999

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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.

Indigenous recruits taking up the challenge

15 March 2018

Public hearings for Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal's Long Tan honours review

12 February 2016

Assistant Minister for Defence – Joint Release – Re-enactment march to commemorate the Kurrajongs

10 January 2016

Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Assistant Minister for Defence - Overseas deployment positive experience for ADF mothers

16 December 2015

Assistant Minister for Defence - Joint Release - $1.46 Million to improve PTSD treatment for current and former Australian Defence Force members

14 December 2015

Assistant Minister for Defence - Defence donations save more than 19,000 lives

7 December 2015

Assistant Minister for Defence - Defence highlights the significance of inclusion with lights up for International Day of People with Disability

29 November 2015

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View full list of Minister media release by The Hon Darren Chester MP (Former Assistant Minister for Defence)

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