Labor farewells ‘legend’
GEELONG’S Labor politicians have paid tribute to former Victorian Premier John Cain after his death yesterday aged 88.
After rising through the ranks of the Victorian Labor Party, Mr Cain became the state’s 41st premier in 1982.
As the man responsible for ending 27 years of conservative government, he was popular during his first two terms but the 1987 stock market crash saw both Labor and the state’s fortunes crash.
The collapse of the Geelong-based Pyramid Building Society and the Tri-Continental Bank led to Mr Cain resigning in 1990.
Current Deputy Labor Leader and Corio federal MP Richard Marles said yesterday the party had lost a legend in Mr Cain.
“As an activist in his early years in the party, John Cain helped modernise Labor, paving the way for government at both a federal and state level,” Mr Marles said.
“As the longest serving Labor Premier of Victoria, the Victorian State Government under John Cain oversaw a number of policy reforms including tobacco control, workers’ compensation, urban planning, social justice and education.
“It was also cultural initiatives spearheaded by John
Cain, including the lights at the MCG and Rod Laver Arena which has turned Melbourne into the city we know it today, an epicentre for international sporting tournaments.”
Lara MP John Eren said Mr Cain used to visit him regularly when he was Sports Minister.
“He was the architect behind the Melbourne Olympic Park precinct and he used to have lots of ideas going forward on the potential of that precinct and he was very proud of it,” Mr Eren said.
“We go back many, many years and in that time he’s just been a giant of the Labor movement.”
Bellarine MP and Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville said she would forever remember Mr Cain as a modernising figure in Victoria’s political history.
“I moved from Queensland and my first Labor Premier was John Cain,” she said.
“I will cherish the time I spent talking with him and everything he taught me – he was a true Labor legend.
“He helped make Victoria safer with tighter gun control after the Hoddle St massacre.
“He also expanded our national parks and helped protect our natural heritage.”
Corangamite MP Libby Coker said Mr Cain was one of the best Premiers Victoria had had, and described him as everything a state could want in a leader.
She said Mr Cain was a true gentleman – courteous, reasoned and sensible yet he also had a steely determination to succeed and did not suffer fools gladly.
“He was scrupulously fair and honest in everything he did,” Ms Coker said.
“He was a deep thinker who didn’t seek the limelight for the sake of it.
“For him power was a privilege to be used for bettering the lives of as many Victorians as possible. “
South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said Mr Cain would be sorely missed.
“He was a true Victorian legend and a true giant of the Labor Party,” he said.
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