McEwen voters set to decide candidate

McEwen voters will elect their representative on Saturday in the 2019 federal election.

Sitting Member for McEwen, Labor’s Rob Mitchell, is up against the Greens’ Neil Baker, Ruth Parramore from the Animal Justice Party; Deb Butler from Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party; Liberal candidate Philip Fusco; Independent Robert Hyndman; Ronnie Graham from One Nation and United Australia Party’s Chris Hayman.

Mitchell Shire Council’s community advocacy campaign has pushed for funding commitments to mental health services and Wallan’s Watson Street interchange with the Hume Freeway.

Labor member for McEwen Rob Mitchell announced commitments of $3 million towards building a headspace centre in Wallan and $23 million towards building the interchange, should Labor be elected.

The council’s advocacy campaign has sparked more than 1000 postcards and emails to be sent from the community to candidates.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said council would like to thank the community for getting behind the campaign.

“Community members right across the shire have taken the time to add their voice and let candidates know that mental health and the freeway ramps matter to them,” he said.

“We’ve had a great response and I look forward to working with whoever ends up representing us to get action on these priorities.”

With one in 15 people in Mitchell Shire reporting high or very high levels of psychological distress and long waiting lists and travel times for specialised support, the campaign called for funding a range of mental health services.

Cr Chisholm said the shire was growing rapidly and the projects would change the face of the shire for years to come.

“By working in partnership across local, state and federal governments we can make a difference to thousands of people every day,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the candidates who have offered their support and taken the time to meet with us. I’d also like to thank our Youth Council members who have very active throughout this campaign.”