Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester last week welcomed the decision to re-form the Coalition between the Liberal Party and The Nationals, saying the renewed partnership will allow the opposition to focus on key national and regional issues.
Mr Chester said the Coalition had historically delivered strong government and the decision to reunite followed careful negotiations to ensure the partnership was set up for the future.
“Out of respect to millions of Coalition supporters across Australia, we took the time to get the settings right,” he said.
“The things that united us were bigger than the things that divided us.”
He said the Coalition needed to move quickly beyond internal discussions and focus on holding the federal government to account, particularly on cost-of-living pressures, energy prices and housing affordability.
“Every moment we spend talking about internal party issues is a free pass to a weak and divisive Prime Minister,” Mr Chester said.
“Australia deserves a better government which has policies to unite the country and bridge the gap in services between city and country people.”
Mr Chester identified key policy priorities including energy and housing costs, a
balanced immigration program, improved regional transport and telecommunications infrastructure, national security, and better access to health, aged care, disability and childcare services.
He also called for stronger support for families, saying more flexible policies were
needed to help those struggling with rising living costs.
“It’s time to take a more holistic look at how we support young families who are often hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
Mr Chester confirmed he would return to the role of Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and said he was looking forward to working with current and former Australian Defence Force personnel on policies to support veterans and their families.
He said a united Coalition team would be needed to develop policies aimed at delivering what he described as a safer, stronger and fairer Australia.
