Darren Chester
National Party Member for Gippsland
Currently sitting
Photo: © Copyright 2015, Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 3.0 au, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- National Party - Gippsland (House) - 28 Jun 2008 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Electorate office: (03) 5144 6744
Level 1, 89 Raymond Street, Sale VIC 3850
Office details: Parliament of Australia, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Contact details on aph.gov.au Profile on OpenAustraliaNot sure if this is your member? Find your electorate (AEC)
These counts cover what is on this site only. They do not measure electorate work or committee work.
Compared with other members
Darren Chester compared with all 150 sitting House members.
Questions asked in Question Time
Higher than 56% of House members- This member
- 14
- Average
- 11.2
- Median
- 12
Debates spoken in
Lower than 53% of House members- This member
- 28
- Average
- 35.9
- Median
- 30.5
Votes cast
Lower than 78% of House members- This member
- 213
- Average
- 253.0
- Median
- 265
Share of divisions voted in
Lower than 83% of House members- This member
- 64%
- Average
- 79%
- Median
- 81%
Read these with care
- The median is the middle member: half did more, half did less. It is less affected by a few very active members than the average.
- Ministers answer questions rather than ask them, and the presiding officers rarely vote, so their patterns differ.
- Government backbenchers are often given arranged "Dorothy Dixer" questions, which raises their question counts.
- Votes only record ayes and noes, so a missed vote cannot be told apart from a pair (an agreed absence).
- Counts cover only what is on this site, and do not measure electorate or committee work. New members have less history.
Question Time
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked why the government was making life harder for age pensioners by cutting their private health insurance rebate during a cost-of-living crisis.
Background: The government proposed cutting the private health insurance rebate for older Australians to fund aged care.
Answer from Mark Butler
The minister explained that the $3 billion saved would be invested in aged care beds, Support at Home packages, and reversing co-contributions for hygiene services. He stated that the decision was necessary to provide adequate care for an ageing population and that the rebate would revert to its initial structure, which was not age-discriminatory.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked whether the Prime Minister would correct the record and declare his honorary membership of the Marrickville Golf Club in his register of interests.
Background: The member noted that full membership of the Marrickville Golf Course cost $1,100 and asked if the Prime Minister would upgrade his register of interests given the value of his honorary membership.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister reiterated that he received honorary social membership in 2012 but did not hold a card, use the facilities, or know the club's executives. He stated that he did not play golf and that the membership was a nominal gesture from a local community club. He contrasted this with formal memberships like Royal Sydney, which he declared, and emphasised that the honorary title carried no cost or benefit. He defended the club as a vital community asset.
Question from Darren Chester
The member thanked the Prime Minister and Minister for their briefing and noted the trauma associated with seeing dead birds, while confirming that there was no reason for concern about consuming Australian poultry and eggs.
Background: The Prime Minister had praised the bipartisan response to bird flu.
Answer from Anthony Albanese (Prime Minister)
The Prime Minister thanked the Minister for her work and the opposition for their bipartisan cooperation. He described the situation as a national challenge that was being managed effectively under difficult circumstances.
Question from Darren Chester
The member thanked the minister for bipartisan cooperation and reassured the public about the safety of the agricultural sector.
Background: The member commended the minister's engagement with the opposition regarding the bird flu outbreak.
Answer from Julie Collins (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)
The Minister acknowledged the member's comments and the bipartisan approach to managing the outbreak. She thanked the Chief Veterinary Officer and ground workers for their efforts. She reiterated that the agricultural sector had not been impacted and encouraged Australians to continue consuming local products.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked for the number of older Australians who had died while waiting for home care packages since 2022.
Background: The member asked how many older Australians had died while waiting for home care packages since the government took office in 2022.
Answer from Sam Rae
The Minister stated that at the peak of the crisis around 2018, more than 16,000 older Australians died on the waiting list each year. She noted that the number had significantly reduced, with 4,812 Australians dying on the list in the last financial year. The Minister highlighted that wait times had decreased, with standard-priority cases waiting three months less and high-priority cases waiting one to two months. She stated that $47 billion was invested in aged care for the next year, including 32,000 new Support at Home places.
Question from Darren Chester
The member thanked the minister for the update on H5 bird flu and stated the coalition was ready to support the government, particularly regarding risks to the poultry sector.
Background: The member thanked the minister for the update on H5 bird flu and offered coalition support.
Answer from Julie Collins (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)
The Minister acknowledged the member's comments and the coalition's willingness to support the response. She reiterated the importance of keeping the $8 billion poultry industry and its 60,000 workers informed. The Minister thanked the member for his cooperation and updates.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked if the minister took responsibility for the 4,800 eligible older Australians who died waiting for home care in the past year.
Background: Reports indicated older Australians were dying while waiting for Support at Home packages.
Answer from Sam Rae
The Minister expressed distress at the deaths and noted the Royal Commission's recommendations had led to the new Support at Home program. He cited a report showing decreasing waiting times and affirmed the government's commitment to reducing wait times further.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked whether the minister could confirm that more than half of Australian farmers could not access the capital gains tax concession, leaving them liable for increased tax bills when transferring family farms.
Background: The shadow minister for veterans' affairs asked the Minister for Agriculture whether more than half of Australian farmers were ineligible for the capital gains tax concession.
Answer from Julie Collins
The Minister urged the opposition to stop running scare campaigns and presented facts from the National Farmers' Federation. She quoted the NFF welcoming budget measures that exempted primary production income from the new 30 per cent trust tax and confirmed that small business capital gains tax concessions would remain unchanged. She emphasized that the NFF was pleased the government had listened to their concerns regarding family farms.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked why Australians should trust the government's commitments given reports of new taxes on farmers and small businesses, contrary to previous promises.
Background: The member challenged the Prime Minister's trustworthiness regarding promises not to tax farmers and small businesses, citing media reports of new taxes.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister noted that the National Party, along with the Liberals and Greens, had supported a Senate review of tax policy. He cited a National Party senator's comment that tax changes, including capping negative gearing, should be considered to address the housing crisis. The Prime Minister began to discuss historical tax contexts before the answer was cut short.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked why the Prime Minister was always the last to lead, citing concerns from farmers about fuel prioritization if the crisis deepened.
Background: The Victorian Farmers Federation expressed concern over lack of clarity on fuel prioritization.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister explained that the National Fuel Security Plan was at stage 2, focusing on keeping Australia moving, but included contingency planning. He noted that 20 per cent of reserves were released to regional areas and that new legislation would allow the purchase of additional fuel and fertiliser. He criticized opposition leaders for downplaying the crisis and praised constructive engagement from some members.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked whether the minister believed the agreement was beneficial for Australian farmers, given industry criticism that the deal was subpar and would impose long-term costs on the sector.
Background: The National Farmers' Federation expressed disappointment with the newly announced free trade agreement with the European Union, citing concerns about a national fuel crisis affecting farmers.
Answer from Julie Collins
The minister stated that the government strongly supports farmers and that the agreement provides significant opportunities for exporters. She noted that agricultural exports to the EU were valued at $4 billion in 2025 and would grow under the new terms. The deal eliminates most EU tariffs on agricultural products, including savings of approximately $17 million for the wine industry, and reduces testing requirements and export overheads. She highlighted that total agriculture, fisheries, and forestry exports reached over $82 billion in 2025, a 38 per cent increase since 2021.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked for the government's strategy to secure fertilizer supplies for Australian farmers, given price increases and shipment delays.
Background: The Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs asked the Minister for Agriculture about the government's plan to secure fertilizer for farmers, citing warnings of catastrophic impacts from shipment disruptions.
Answer from Julie Collins
The Minister stated that sufficient fertilizer was available in Australia or on ships for the initial cropping season. She noted ongoing monitoring of delayed cargoes in the Persian Gulf and efforts to source urea from other regions. The Minister highlighted collaboration with the ACCC and industry to ensure fertilizer reaches those in need. She mentioned weekly meetings with the agriculture sector and regular contact with Fertilizer Australia to secure supplies for future crops.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked the minister to admit that the Prime Minister's promise of a $275 power bill reduction had not been delivered and to apologize to the Australian people.
Background: The Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs challenged the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to admit that no Australian family had seen the promised $275 power bill reduction.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The minister stated he took responsibility for the energy system and its progress. He highlighted that more than 1,100 home batteries were put in place in the member's electorate from 1 July. He noted that wholesale energy prices in Victoria had dropped from $233 per megawatt hour in May 2022 to $37 per megawatt hour. He emphasized that he did not hide price increases before elections and was focused on dealing with headwinds and setbacks.
Question from Darren Chester
The member asked whether the 20-year time limit on Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal inquiries would have excluded Teddy Sheean's gallantry from review, referencing a past media release by the Prime Minister.
Background: The Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs cited a 2020 media release by the then-Prime Minister supporting a Victoria Cross for Teddy Sheean, asking if the new 20-year time limit on tribunal inquiries would have prevented a review of Sheean's case.
Answer from Matt Keogh
The Minister argued that the member was misleading the House by implying the tribunal's actions affected the previous government's decision. He stated that the previous government had rejected the tribunal's recommendation for Teddy Sheean and established a separate process due to pressure from veterans and the opposition. He clarified that an application for honour could still be brought to Defence and an inquiry conducted, regardless of the tribunal's modernization efforts.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Agriculture Industry
House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
National Wild Dog Action Plan
House of Representatives · Monday 17 August 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Biosecurity Amendment (Improving Operational Efficiency) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Senior Australians
House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
Budget
House of Representatives · Thursday 4 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 June 2026 · Consideration in Detail
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 May 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Invasive Species Management: Carp
House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026, Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 30 March 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Albanese Government
House of Representatives · Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
Women in Defence
House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · General Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
Early Childhood Education and Care
House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Australian War Memorial
House of Representatives · Monday 2 March 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025, Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 February 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Victoria: Bushfires
House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Bondi Beach Attack Victims
House of Representatives · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Timber industry
House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Tuesday 7 October 2025 · Consideration in Detail
Responded as shadow minister
-
Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 September 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 September 2025 · Consideration in Detail
Opened this debate · Position: oppose
-
Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 13 February 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
- Votes recorded
- 213
- Aye votes (40.4%)
- 86
- No votes (59.6%)
- 127
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Rearrangement
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 89 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 85, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 45, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 49, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 43, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Albanese Government; Attempted Censure
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 37 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 96, Noes 36 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Improved Forest Management in Multi...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation...
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 52, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Gun Control
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Veterans
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 49 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026; Reference to Federation Chamber
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 40, Noes 83 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
International Relations: Australia and Japan
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 41 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Minister for Defence Industry; Attempted Censure
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 41 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026;...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Appointment
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 101 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 33 · Passed
VOTED NO -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 100, Noes 9 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 101, Noes 7 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 20...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 20...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 43, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
National Anti-Corruption Commission Joint Committee; Consideration of Senate ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 93, Noes 45 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Member for Groom
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 102, Noes 33 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026; Consid...
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 98, Noes 40 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026; Consid...
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 91, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Albanese Government
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 91, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No...
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 97, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No...
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 91, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No...
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 93, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026, Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequ...
29 Jun 2026 · Ayes 47, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Prime Minister; Attempted Censure
25 Jun 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate...
25 Jun 2026 · Ayes 98, Noes 39 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate...
25 Jun 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private H...
25 Jun 2026 · Ayes 10, Noes 71 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No...
24 Jun 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No...
24 Jun 2026 · Ayes 44, Noes 88 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No...
24 Jun 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 45 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
23 Jun 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 46 · Passed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Darren Chester's parliamentary activity: questions asked and answered in Question Time, debates spoken in, and votes in divisions. Summaries are in reported speech, not transcripts; each one links to the official record.