By CASEY NEILL
DALE Key wants his run for State Parliament to help remove the stigma of mental illness from the political arena.
The Lyndhurst man has announced he’ll be an independent candidate for Dandenong at the November state election. He was the Liberal Party’s candidate for the seat in 2010.
“However, it is not always desirable to be associated with a political party that has federal activities when my political ambition is to be active on state issues,” Mr Key said.
“I have great vision for Dandenong and the surrounding south east corridor.
“While my political views are largely conservative, I understand and appreciate the need for social equality and will continue to review issues with a balanced approach so the pendulum does not swing too far in either direction.”
Mr Key said there was strong support in his family for organisations involved in mental health recovery.
“I have experienced the recovery from clinical depression myself after diagnosis in 1992,” he said.
“With the assistance of the medical profession, Centrelink and a strong will to survive I was able to recover, slowly at first but then with great reverence as a strong, engaging member of society.”
He said understanding and support for mental illness had increased since his diagnosis.
“But I realise there still is an enormous way to go to the point where people with constant balance understand the daily challenges of those with mood swings and other afflictions,” he said.
“I am delighted to be championing the movement to remove the stigma of mental illness from the political arena.”
Mr Key said the months leading up to the election might prove challenging as a political candidate.
“But I can assure everyone that the challenge of living with and recovering from mental illness is a far greater achievement,” he said.
Labor MP John Pandazopoulos is stepping down from the seat after almost 22 years.
Gabrielle Williams will vie to keep the seat in the party’s hands, while Joanna Palatsides is the Liberal Party candidate.
