Endorsed Liberal candidate Cameron Caine is congratulated at the opening of his McEwen campaign office by retiring MP Fran Bailey.
By Kath Gannaway
CAMERON Caine restated his commitment to “keeping McEwen in safe Liberal hands” at the recent opening of his campaign office in Wallan.
The Kinglake policeman, earlier endorsed as the Liberal Party candidate for McEwen, has also been backed by retiring McEwen MP Fran Bailey, who described him as a “dynamic representative for the Liberal Party and people of McEwen.”
Ms Bailey said the father of three and president of the Kinglake Football Club had strong community connections, describing him as a “community champion” for the electorate.
Mr Caine will stand against Labor candidate Rob Mitchell and Greens candidate Steve Meacher.
He spoke out last week on one of the major announcements from his team, saying he was excited about Tony Abbott’s $1.5 billion mental health policy, describing it as a breakthrough for Australia’s “forgotten people.”
He said the mental health issue was one of the key reasons he decided to stand for Parliament.
The Abbott plan provides for 20 new Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centres, 800 acute and sub-acute early intervention beds and 60 additional youth headspace sites.
As a police officer, Mr Caine said he often deals with those who “fall through the cracks” in Australian society because they don’t have access to mental health professionals.
Of particular concern, he said, was the issue of youth “self-harm”, with at least one-third of young people suffering a mental disorder by the age of 25.
Mr Caine’s office said he is campaigning and will launch into full campaign mode once the election date is announced. He can be contacted on 0407 525 377.
