``The youth allowance is something we're also picking up on, which is also of real concern, not only to the students but their parents, because they've invested a lot in their children's education and are now seeing the opportunities being taken away from them.''

Mr Tehan said another issue he was keen to hear people's views on was the chaplaincy program in schools.

``From what I've heard people have been thrilled with the chaplaincy program, they think it's very beneficial and they are very worried about securing ongoing funding for the program. Due to pressure being put on the Federal government they've extended the funding for a year, but there's still a lot of uncertainty about what will happen after that. And what we have to ensure is that there is a commitment to ongoing funding for this very valuable program.''

The condition of the roads is a permanent one, according to Mr Tehan.

``Once again it's `why isn't there a priority of the funding going towards these roads,' it seems it is something that is neglected,'' he said.

Mr Tehan has had a varied career.

After completing secondary school, he spent a year on the family farm, and said he `very much wanted to be a farmer' but thought it a wise choice to go to university first so he `had the skills in case anything went wrong with that profession'.

Mr Tehan completed four years at university, resulting in a Masters in International Relations from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England.

He then planned to go back to the family farm, but with interest rates at 21 percent and an older brother also interested in farming, he realised that it was not viable for the two brothers to make an income off the one farm.

Mr Tehan went to work for Pacific Dunlop, value adding to the agriculture sector in the foods group of the company.

He was then accepted into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade moving to Canberra to train as a Diplomat, eventually obtaining a diplomatic posting to Mexico City.

He said the issues he worked on in Mexico City are also relevant to rural Victoria, including meat export and the live sheep and cattle trade.

Mr Tehan also worked with small and medium size enterprises, ensuring trade opportunities in the Pacific area.

Following his diplomatic posting he worked as senior advisor to Mark Vale, then leader of the National Party and deputy prime minister, dealing with issues relevant to rural and regional Australia.

Then followed a stint as director of trade policy and international affairs with the Australian chamber of commerce and industry.

Mr Tehan's final position before his pre-selection was as deputy state director of the Liberal Party in Victoria.

``One of the most important things people want to see in a candidate is the ability to get out and listen and I have very much been getting out into the community and listening to see what their concerns are and what issues they have and what their views are,'' he said.

Mr Tehan concluded his visit to Ararat by speaking at the Ararat Branch of the Liberal Party annual general meeting.