Gippsland MP Darren Chester reveals torn relations in federal National Party

Darren Chester’s relationship with Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce is on the rocks. But things are warmer with his Victorian colleagues.

Victoria’s National Party hierarchy is sticking with Darren Chester after the Gippsland MP made the unorthodox move of “taking a break” from the federal caucus.

A key backer of vanquished former deputy PM Michael McCormack, Mr Chester was unceremoniously dumped from cabinet when Barnaby Joyce returned to the federal leadership in June.

Over the weekend, Mr Chester confirmed he would not attend caucus meetings because of his frustration with Mr Joyce and his allies, although added that he remained committed to the Victorian division of the National Party.

Victorian Nationals state president Neil Pankhurst indicated he remained on good terms with the Gippsland MP in a one-line statement issued this week.

“Darren is a strong local voice for his community, and as a Nationals MP he will continue working closely with our Victorian Nationals team to deliver in Gippsland,” he said.

The Weekly Times understands Victorian National Party leader Peter Walsh also remains supportive of Mr Chester.

Mr Walsh and state deputy leader Steph Ryan have attempted to differentiate the Victorian division on several policy fronts, notably climate change, since the reascendant Mr Joyce took back the reins three months ago.

A cooling of allegiances is not without precedent in the National Party.

Page MP Kevin Hogan had a stint on the cross-bench in late 2018, following the replacement of Malcolm Turnbull with Scott Morrison as PM.

Similarly, O’Connor MP Tony Crook sat on the crossbench between 2010 and 2012 when the Gillard Government grappled with a hung parliament.

In a television interview this week, Mr Chester did not name Mr Joyce directly but said the federal hierarchy had ignored his concerns over controversial comments made by party colleagues Matt Canavan and George Christensen.

“My concern and my frustration has been that there are some that want to push a very hard right-wing agenda which isn’t something I’m comfortable with,” the Gippsland MP said.