(as they appear on the ballot paper...)
Rob Mitchell - Labor
YOU could forgive Rob Mitchell for suffering from a slight case of déjà vu as he heads into the 2010 federal election.
This is the second time the former shoemaker has run for the seat of McEwen, and after being narrowly defeated by the Liberal Party’s Fran Bailey at the 2007 election, he concedes that another close result is on the cards.
“It is going to be close, there’s no two ways about that,” he said.
The 42-year-old Broadford resident has lived in the McEwen electorate for his entire life, growing up in Craigieburn (before it was removed from the electorate) before moving to Whittlesea and then to Broadford.
“I have a pretty good understanding of the people that live here, it’s a pretty diverse place,” he said.
Mitchell, married to wife Lisa and father to 19-year-old Rachael, has wandered down many career paths before settling into politics.
As well as being a shoemaker, the car enthusiast had a stint driving an RACV van and has also worked in the transport industry, supplying diesel engine parts, before eventually finding his feet as a politician.
In 2002 Mr Mitchell was elected as MLC for the local Central Highlands province at the Victorian election.
He stood for the Coalition-held Lower House seat of Benalla in 2006, where he was defeated before being endorsed as the Federal Labor candidate for McEwen.
Relaxing with a coffee before hitting the road for another day of door knocking (this time at South Morang) he said that employment, education, road safety and health are the key issues that need to be tackled in McEwen, particularly in the Mitchell Shire.
“They are the main ones that we are looking at for areas like Kilmore, Broadford, Wallan and Seymour,” he said.
Mr Mitchell also took the opportunity to spruik the benefits of Labor’s National Broadband Network, saying it will benefit rural residents, who are struggling with slow, and often costly, internet connections.
“It’s beneficial for education, e-health (and) it’s important for medical and hospitals,” he said.
“It’s important for jobs, people can work locally.
“Local businesses will obviously benefit from having faster broadband as well,” he said.
When asked about his main opponent, Cameron Caine, Rob Mitchell is straight up with his answer - “His own admission is that he has no experience, knowledge and understanding of it all,” he said.
“He’s been very tricky with his words and given the idea that he’s committed and he’s not actually confirmed his commitment.
“I’d love to ask him what he’s going to do and how he’s going to do it.”
Mr Mitchell said people should vote for him because he is a “determined, vocal, experienced and hardworking local who listens.”
Mark Bini - Liberal Democratic
MARK BINI, the Liberal Democratic candidate for McEwen, is a hard man to catch.
Bini is General Manager of a large manufacturing business, has a GDBA and an MBA and has managed large and national companies for the past 15 years.
He grew up in Rosanna and Heidelberg (Diamond Creek) and plans to move to Doreen in the coming two years.
He is also a member of The Liberal Democratic Party and is running as a candidate for McEwen in the upcoming federal election.
If the name seems unfamiliar to you it is because the Liberal Democratic Party is the only one in Australia that does not advertise itself to voters, based on the claim that this is better than spending our taxes on party political propaganda.
The party also supports the right to own firearms for sport, hunting, collecting and self defence.
The Liberal Democratic Party takes a strong stance on government taxes and believes that the Australian people are currently paying far too much.
The LDP does not argue for incremental reform, suggesting ‘tax revolution’ in the form of their ‘Reform 30/30’ program.
Reform 30/30 includes a tax-free threshold of $30,000 and a flat income tax of 30 per cent, with no deductions.
The LDP also advocates an immediate end to government ownership of the ABC, SBS, Australia Post, Medibank Private, the electricity generation corporations, and bus, ferry and rail services.
The LDP opposes the censorship of the internet and the government’s attempts to control the flow of public information.
The party believes that freedom of speech and the right to challenge authority and express personal opinions, be that via the internet or elsewhere, is essential for a free democratic society to exist.
The LDP also takes a strong stance on the subject of euthanasia and believes adults have a right to end their own lives, with or without assistance, and to have access to information to help them do it.
The Party states that there is no more fundamental expression of individual freedom than the right to decide what you do with your own body.
Bini himself is passionate about seeing the increasing interference and incompetence of governments brought to a halt.
He believes that Australians are “over governed, over regulated and our civil rights are being eroded away.”
Bini challenges the current government’s expertise as well as their ability to truly run the country profitably like a good private enterprise business.
He claims this is impossible for them given their addiction to tax, debt, and ridiculous spending decisions.
Bini also believes in less government, less tax, less welfare for those who do not deserve it, as well as fewer penalties and fines for minor traffic offences.
Steve Meacher - Greens
THE Greens candidate for McEwen, Steve Meacher, doesn’t consider himself a politician.
He says that he is an environmental educator who happens to be running for a political position.
Mr Meacher, a Toolangi resident, ran as a candidate for McEwen in 2007 and says he is excited at the prospect of campaigning again in this year’s election.
While the seat of McEwen is renowned for being the most hotly contested position in the nation, Meacher believes the position is more open than most would acknowledge.
“Fran Bailey, the long-time candidate, is retiring,” he said.
Steve Meacher is a ‘green man’ through and through, and he is involved with many environmental awareness groups and community projects outside of his political commitments.
He is the chairman of Healesville Environment Watch Inc, the treasurer of the Climate Emergency Network and a committee member of the Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum.
He also had the rare Round-leaf Pomaderris protected under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and his 2007 proposal to the Shire of Yarra Ranges became the council’s Climate Protection Commitment.
Steve remains actively opposed to the North-South Sugarloaf Pipeline, participating in “Plug the Pipe” meetings and organising walk-on protests with environment groups.
Steve has also recently also campaigned against clearfell logging for woodchips around the bushfire affected towns in the Central Highlands.
After Toolangi’s struggle with the February 2009 bushfires Steve organised the first community meeting, which became a daily event and led to the establishment of a Relief Centre.
He has maintained his commitment to community recovery ever since, serving on the Toolangi and Castella Community Recovery Committee.
A qualified teacher and administrator, Steve was a relief teacher at several schools in the Yarra Valley, then at Healesville Primary before moving to the Gould League, which specialises in Environmental Education.
Steve’s passion for environmental protection, community service and democratic processes developed further while living and teaching in Kenya for 17 years before coming to Australia.
His decision to join the Greens stems from the inspiration Christine Milne’s presentation on the ‘exciting’ Greens document ‘Re-energising Australia’ made on the long-time environmental activist.
Meacher believes there is “a big difference between the Greens and other parties.”
He said the Greens party is the only one taking clear action against the serious issue of climate change and also the only party offering a viable long term solution.
Meacher also has a lot of faith in party leader Bob Brown, commending the politician as highly respected, intelligent and possessing large quantities of integrity and humanity.
In regards to local issues, Steve Meacher also supports increased funding for rural healthcare, improved public transport, more affordable housing for lower income earners, better public education and a Kilmore/Wallan Bypass.
Cameron Caine - Liberal
YOU can’t blame Cameron Caine for being nervous as he arrives at Newspaper House - after all, this is one of his first ever political interviews.
Armed with the support of current Federal Member for Murray and Liberal Party colleague, Sharman Stone, Caine offers a firm handshake before sitting down after what appears to have been another busy day.
“It’s been non-stop,” he says, as his phone begins to ring yet again.
To say his life has changed since taking on the role of Liberal candidate for McEwen earlier this year is an understatement. Cameron Caine has literally undergone a lifestyle transformation.
Just weeks ago he resigned from his position as a senior constable at Kinglake Police Station – the very place where he came to public notice after working through the devastating Black Saturday Bushfires. He has also stood down from his position as president of the Kinglake Football Club.
“It’s a big job,” Caine says.
The one-time plumber admits that life as a politician has been a “huge learning curve”.
Each day is spent trying to adhere to a carefully planned schedule that can change at the drop of a hat, but Mr Caine assures he has no regrets about taking on his new role.
“I’m just a family man that wants to make a difference,” he said.
“Real families want to see real action.”
And it is that ‘all around nice guy’ feel that the Liberals are hoping will win over voters in the country’s most marginal seat.
When asked about his lack of political experience Cameron Caine declares this ‘fresh perspective’ is exactly what McEwen voters need.
“I’m not a party machine,” he declares.
But when asked what defines a ‘party machine’ Caine struggles to answer, stuttering and then changing the subject to something he is very passionate about – bushfire recovery.
When asked what people in fire affected areas need he puts it simply.
“They don’t need a handout, they need a hand up,” he says.
A mini biography style booklet on Caine circulated to homes in McEwen recently, telling readers he is dedicated to tackling the ‘real issues’ in the community.
The booklet even says that Caine will deliver a bypass for Wallan and Kilmore
However, the man himself avoids calling these pledges party promises.
“A promise is a very strong word,” he said.
“The one thing I can promise is that I will work with the community, not tell them what they want.”
Caine finished up the interview saying the constituents of McEwen are the ‘backbone’ of the community.
“They’re the ones that live there, they’re the one that know what they need,” he said.
“Great things can happen when you work as a team.”
Robert Gordon – Secular Party
ROBERT Gordon is no stranger to politics, having served in local government for nine years.
And the former Mitchell Shire councillor is not afraid to campaign for what he believes in.
Mr Gordon will stand for the Australian Secular Party, a group with financial and environmental concerns and a focus on weeding out pseudo-charities.
According to the outspoken candidate, now is the time for Australia to emerge from what he calls the dark ages.
He said too many Australian families were forced to pay higher taxes because the Federal Government continued to allow religious organisations to be excluded from paying tax.
“Why should working families and vulnerable Australians pay higher direct and indirect taxes, because shonky charities and religions earn $30 billion per annum tax free?” he asked.
He also said the environment was a major issue for the Secular Party.
“With our planet poisoned by 200 years of industrialisation, and global warming first recorded in 1895, and 13 of the hottest years on record within the last 15 years, climate change deniers like Tony Abbot are barking mad,” Mr Gordon said.
He called for Australians to defend their secular constitution, including the separation of church and state.
“Our democracy has been bought with the blood of 102,000 young Australians who died in wars,” he said.
“It is outrageous that taxpayers’ money is used to buy votes and support religions and pseudo-religions.
“Democracy works better when the independents and small parties have the balance of power in the Senate, allowing problems to be identified and resolved.”
Mr Gordon said the Secular Party stands for many other things, including “proper funding of public schools, a bill of rights like comparable countries, investment in alternative energy technologies, and ensuring that immigrants have attitudes compatible with our society and values.”
He said the Secular Party supports Senator Nick Xenophon’s call for a charities commission to identify genuine claims of charitable expenditure.
And the outspoken candidate said that the Liberal Party is using government debt “to scare little old ladies”, calling the current debt of five per cent of annual gross domestic product a “mere whisker” compared to similar countries that have a 75 per cent debt alongside their GDP.
Mr Gordon said the main issues affecting the McEwen electorate were transport, employment, education and infrastructure.
“We need a bypass for Wallan and Kilmore,” he said.
“Wallan needs a swimming pool,” he added.
On a national level, Mr Gordon said bank fees must be regulated, and borrowers should not be subject to interest rate rises.
“They (the banks) are out of control – the government needs to control them,” he said. “A vote for the Secular Party is a vote for progress, decency and justice.”
Belinda Clarkson - Family First
DIAMOND CREEK resident and first time candidate for McEwen Belinda Clarkson is new to the world of politics, but she is determined to assist the community.
The new Family First candidate asserts herself as a passionate member of the community and volunteers her time many associations including the Scouts, Nillumbik Ratepayers Association, Diamond Valley College School Council, Diamond Creek Progress Association, MNE Road Safe Council and the Diamond Creek Multi-purpose sports centre Committee.
Belinda currently serves as a Councillor with Nillumbik Shire.
Prior to becoming a Shire Councillor Belinda worked in child care, aged care occupational therapy and garden landscaping.
Belinda Clarkson is married and the mother of four young adults.
In her role as candidate for McEwen, Belinda is passionate about the subject of bushfire recovery.
Her husband and eldest son fought the fires on Black Saturday and she understands the dangers posed by poor bush fire management strategies.
She campaigned for years for better fuel reduction burns in order to protect rural areas from the threat of bushfires like those of Black Saturday, but her efforts were overlooked and disaster occurred.
Now she is even more determined to prevent a lack of decisive action causing devastation like Black Saturday in the McEwen region ever again.
“I am determined to bring a greater awareness to the need for proper bushfire management in McEwen,” she says.
“As the Family First candidate for the area I hope to ensure that these issues are kept at the forefront of public debate.”
While her main issue is bushfire recovery, Belinda is also passionate about other local issues including more affordable housing, cost pressures on families and community safety.
She supports the Family First policy on sensible immigration and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which she believes will effectively financially support people with disabilities
Belinda Clarkson does not have a decisive opinion on climate change, saying that there is too much conflicting information at the moment.
However, she also said she did not think a ‘doom and gloom’ approach was doing any good and a sensible approach would be far more effective.
At the Seymour We Want candidate forum, Ms Clarkson said she believed that issues that came up in Seymour, such as health, education, disability and pensioner provisions, were issues that went “across the board in all small country towns.”
She also stated that she felt the major parties need to “stop wasting our money and concentrate on the things that matter to the families.”
Belinda also asserted that the government needed to “get back to the basics and actually start looking after our communities.”
“We should be looking after our vulnerable and our communities,” she said, “and we just don’t do it.”
