CHESTER CALLS FOR HIGHER POLITICAL STANDARDS
August 26, 2008
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for higher parliamentary standards in his first speech in Parliament this afternoon.
Mr Chester has focussed on the need to encourage more young leaders to become involved in community affairs and the formation of public policy.
“We need to stimulate the interests of younger people in the importance of making a contribution to their community, whether it be through organised politics or serving local organisations,” he said.
“There are too few younger people taking up the challenge of community service and involvement in public life.
“Rather than accuse them of a lack of interest, I believe that we are at least part of the problem … If we want young people to serve our community as elected representatives, we must become better role models ourselves.”
Mr Chester said his role, first and foremost, was to represent the people of Gippsland.
“My main role in this place is to stand up for the people of Gippsland and give them a voice – Gippslanders are telling me that they want results – not petty political games,” he said.
“I make that point at the outset, because I anticipate there’ll be many challenges facing the Gippsland community in the near future and I make no apologies for my parochialism in standing up for the region.”
“The most basic test that I’ll apply to my deliberations in this place will be to always ask myself: what’s in the best interests of the people of Gippsland?”
Mr Chester listed key issues for which he would stand up for Gippsland as:
* Government policies in relation to climate change;
* the increased cost of living and the impact it’s having on families, pensioners, carers and low income earners;
* the need for ongoing investment in better education, child care, aged care and health services;
* our desire for safer roads and improved access to public transport;
* the impact the drought and the economic downturn is having on local workers, farmers and small business owners; and
* the need for infrastructure investment in transport and water security that will help Gippsland prosper.
“I also support increased investment in natural resource education and world-class research within the Gippsland region because poor pubic land management over several decades has contributed to the environmental problems we face,” he said.
“Recognising that brown coal is an extraordinary natural resource and accepting the challenge to use it in the most environmentally efficient matter will help to protect jobs in my region.
“Naturally – I see a future for renewable energy forms, particularly with the development of larger scale solar facilities – but I offer a word of caution regarding our treatment of coal-fired power stations in the development of environmental policies such as the proposed emissions trading scheme.
“We must not make the mistake of imposing enormous economic pain on Gippsland for very little environmental gain.
“Given that our nation’s contribution to global greenhouse as emissions is less than 2% – any policy which sacrifices jobs in my region will be met with strong resistance.”
Mr Chester completed his maiden speech with calls to transfer more public servants to regional areas, to make sure that bureaucrats involved in policy making have a better understanding of the impacts of their decisions.
“A deliberate policy of decentralisation would provide direct benefits to regional communities and allow more of our young people to pursue careers close to their families and friends,” he said.
“Gippsland exports many products to the world – we need to stop exporting so many of our young people.”
Anyone who would like a copy of Mr Chester’s maiden speech in its entirety can contact Mr Chester’s office on 1300 131 785.