Darren Chester MP

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CRITICAL TO LRH UPGRADE PROPOSAL

February 15, 2012

Support from the local community will help influence a bid by Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH) for a $65 million government upgrade, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

LRH has applied for funding to support the building of a new improved emergency department, additional endoscopy facilities and offer more beds for acute care through the Federal Government’s ‘Regional Priority Round of the Health and Hospital’s Fund’.

Mr Chester has launched a local campaign to highlight the importance of the proposal and is inviting residents to sign a petition or send messages to the Minister.

EAST SALE RAAF REDEVELOPMENT A STEP CLOSER

February 15, 2012

The decision by the Parliamentary Public Works Committee to recommend a $185 million upgrade of the East Sale RAAF Base has been welcomed by The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

After a recent public hearing in Sale, the Parliamentary committee has supported the project and its recommendation has been accepted by the House of Representatives.

Formal approval must now be granted in the Senate before the project can proceed.

LABOR INCONSISTENT ON CATTLE GRAZING POLICY

February 13, 2012

Labor Governments have been accused of having an inconsistent policy in relation to cattle grazing by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Speaking in Federal Parliament, Mr Chester said a decision by the ACT Labor Government to allow cattle grazing on public land to reduce fuel during bushfire season smacked of hypocrisy.

Federal Labor Environment Minister Tony Burke recently week banned the Victorian Coalition Government from grazing cattle in the high country as part of bushfire fuel reduction research.

RESPECT NEEDED TO SHARE THE ROADS

February 8, 2012

The Victorian Government’s ‘Road User or Abuser’ campaign to bring cyclists and motorists together on road safety has been welcomed by local MPs Darren Chester and Russell Northe.

The campaign will use a Facebook page as a forum for cyclists and drivers to discuss their concerns about sharing Victoria’s roads. It will also focus on addressing a lack of knowledge of cycling related road rules by both cyclists and drivers.

Mr Chester who is the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, said road safety was the responsibility of all road users and all levels of government.

MINISTER PLEASED WITH IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR FARMERS

February 8, 2012

Improved seasonal conditions across East Gippsland have pleased State Agriculture, Food Security and Water Minister Peter Walsh who visited East Gippsland last week.

Local issues such as feral animal control, food production, water security, and pest plant management all fall within Minister Walsh’s portfolio.

Minister Walsh said it was pleasing to see improved pasture conditions for farmers after a decade severely affected by low rainfall.