Mike Cains has been announced as the Liberal Candidate for Whitlam, declaring he will fight for better infrastructure, business support and economic opportunities for the local community.
Mr Cains said communities across Shellharbour, Wollongong, and the Wingecarribee council areas have been experiencing rapid growth. This brings challenges and opportunities that require a hard-working local Member with business and agricultural experience.
“This electorate is amongst the fastest growing in the country, and we need to make sure that we have the infrastructure, roads and amenities that our community needs, while also dealing with the cost-of-living pressures,” said Mr Cains.
“Building up an award-winning agribusiness from scratch has given me the experience needed to fight for our local businesses, as they work to recover from the impact of the global COVID pandemic.”
“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn our region into an economic powerhouse and ensure a prosperous future for our community and our children, but it will require someone who can champion this region in Canberra and be a strong voice for all of us.’
Born and raised in the Illawarra, Mike’s first home was in Kanahooka where his parents owned local newsagencies.
Before returning to the community where he grew up Mike carved out a successful corporate career, with senior executive roles in companies like Fairfax media and CoreLogic, excelling at bringing people together, solving problems and getting things done.
Mike and his wife, Cressida, returned 13 years ago to build a business and raise a family. As farmers, they founded an agricultural start-up which is now a successful award-winning business. Mike’s hard work on the family farm has placed him in the NSW Royal Agricultural Society President's Medal finals, Coles-Weekly Times Australian Innovative Farmer of the Year finals, and earned him the Sydney Royal Agricultural Cheese and Dairy Show Champion Cheese and Harvey Norman Delicious Produce Awards Best Australian Dairy Product trophies.
Mike is deeply committed to serving his community, including as a board member of the local Business Chamber, Robertson Rural Fire Service volunteer, and coaching the local representative cricket team.
As part of the Morrison Liberal Team, Mike will work hard to secure the region’s economic recovery, and ensure a prosperous future for local families, businesses, and retirees.