CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr CHESTER (Gippsland—Deputy Leader of the National Party) (16:27): The Australian War Memorial stands as the most important building in our nation because it lies at the heart of our commitment to remember the 103,000 Australian Defence Force personnel who have died wearing the uniform of our Army, Navy or Air Force. It reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today came at a very heavy price.

Those who were killed, those who were physically wounded and those who never recovered from the mental scars and the families who supported them in their service—they are the ones who paid the price for the freedoms that we enjoy. We must never forget that sacrifice. That is the key reason why the coalition funded the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial while we were in government.

It was to tell the stories of contemporary service in the Australian Defence Force in a timely and appropriate manner. Over the past 30 years, more than 100,000 Australians have served in war, conflict and peacekeeping missions. Today, their stories remain mostly untold.

The Australian War Memorial's redevelopment project is modernising and expanding the galleries and the stories we tell of Australian service and Australian sacrifice. For the first time, the memorial will have displays dedicated to Australia's efforts to prevent war and to contribute to peace. Our contemporary veterans and their families are some of the strongest supporters of the redevelopment.

This is a national endeavour that Australians can be proud of. Lest we forget. In November this year, Victorians have the opportunity to change their government and get rid of a Labor Party which has allowed rorts and corruption on building sites to waste $15 billion of taxpayers' money—$15 billion of taxpayers' money wasted on union thugs and bikie heavies.

I'll be campaigning alongside my state colleagues to help deliver a fair share of funding to regional communities, with the Nationals' fair share guarantee, where 25 per cent of infrastructure funding will be returned to our regional communities if the coalition wins government. In the seat of Gippsland East, we will be aiming to make history at the November election.

We'll be aiming to have the first female member of parliament for that seat in the history of Gippsland East. The Nationals candidate is a teacher, she's a farmer and she understands our community. Gemma Rendell is a born-and-bred East Gippslander who is passionate about the future of our community and has the lived experience to make a difference as she represents us in state parliament after November.

Gemma will be focused on delivering a fair share of government funding for the region and improving essential services for people of all ages across townships such as Maffra, Heyfield, Stratford, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, right through to Mallacoota and into the high country towns like Dargo and Omeo. The Nationals stand for a stronger, safer and better regional Australia where everyone can get ahead, and Gemma Rendell will be an outstanding advocate for Gippsland East after the November state election.