Darren Chester MP

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester was elected on a platform of Putting Locals First.

He said it was vital that local residents supported local businesses and encouraged people to shop locally at every opportunity to create more jobs for Gippsland.

"As the world is engulfed in difficult economic times, it's important that we act locally to support our regional economy and look after the traders who support our community, year after year," Mr Chester said.

December 27, 2010

The impacts of online shopping will be investigated through a Productivity Commission Public Inquiry, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Mr Chester, who has been actively promoting the benefits of shopping locally to help create jobs in Gippsland, said the inquiry followed issues raised in recent months by local retailers concerned by the impact increased online shopping is having on the small business sector.

Mr Chester said he was concerned that the combined impacts of online shopping and travelling to Melbourne to buy good was threatening the long-term viability of small businesses in Gippsland.

December 10, 2010

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the combined impacts of online shopping and travelling to Melbourne to buy Christmas presents is threatening the long-term viability of small businesses in the Latrobe Valley.

Mr Chester and State MP Russell Northe are joining forces to promote the benefits of shopping locally to help create jobs in the region.

“When you shop locally you help to create jobs in the Latrobe Valley. If you shop online or in Melbourne, the money goes straight out of our region and it’s never seen again,” Mr Chester said.

August 9, 2010

The importance of supporting local businesses was emphasised by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, at the Flower of the Sea Beauty and Wellbeing Centre.

Mr Chester officially launched the new business owned by Silka Neist in Port Albert on Sunday night.

“I believe it is important that we celebrate the entrepreneurial skills of young people like Silka who have a confidence and determination to start their own small business,” Mr Chester said.

November 10, 2009

Gippsland residents are being urged to shop locally and support local businesses this Christmas.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has sent letters to households across Gippsland encouraging them to ‘Put Locals First’  by purchasing gifts for family and friends from local traders.

Mr Chester said there are many benefits to ‘Putting Locals First’ when shopping for Christmas gifts including great quality service and after sales support offered by Gippsland businesses.

July 30, 2009

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has stressed the need for the local community to support local businesses after spending the morning working at Sam and Franks hairdressers in Morwell.

Mr Chester was participating in the Pollies for Small Business program and said he had learnt a lot from the experience.

“There’s an ongoing need to promote the opportunities to shop locally and support local service providers if we’re to see towns like Morwell prosper in the future,” Mr Chester said.

July 30, 2009

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester will swap his suit for scissors today (Thursday) as part of the Pollies for Small Business promotion.

Mr Chester will spend the morning at Sam and Franks Hairdressers in Morwell where staff will give him a first hand lesson in running a small business.

“Pollies for Small Business is a great initiative that was started in New South Wales and is spreading to other states,” Mr Chester said.

June 23, 2009

Local residents are being urged to wage their own campaign against the global financial crisis by shopping locally and supporting local jobs.

In difficult economic times, The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has stepped up his ‘putting locals first’ campaign in a bid to help secure local jobs.

He has coordinated a mail out to 70,000 homes across Gippsland encouraging people to shop locally and to spend their school holiday funds enjoying local tourist attractions.

March 12, 2009

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and State Member for Morwell Russell Northe are seeking guarantees that local workers will get the opportunity to assist in the bushfire clean-up effort.

Mr Chester and Mr Northe are concerned that the government contracts will be won by city-based businesses and local traders will be excluded.

“The decision to award the contract for the major clean-up of housing sites to Grocon has raised fears in the community that local workers will not be employed,” Mr Chester said.

October 15, 2008

Gippslanders who receive a cash bonus under the government’s economic stimulus package are being urged to spend the money in local shops by The Nationals MP Darren Chester.

The Member for Gippsland is planning a pre-Christmas advertising campaign, urging Gippslanders to put locals first.

“Putting locals first means making a decision to support local traders whenever possible,” Mr Chester said.