Labor
BLOODSPORTS: Carbines throws down the gauntlet in Ivanhoe
Bronwyn Pike’s highly regarded Chief of Staff, Banyule councillor and ex-journalist (surely a disqualification of some kind) Anthony Carbines has told the flamboyant Government Whip and Labor MP for Ivanhoe Craig Langdon today that he will be nominating against him in the forthcoming preselections.
The move has surprised political observers because Langdon has made it clear that he intended to stay til 2014 and Carbines had formed a reasonably close political alliance with Langdon whose local numbers make him a potentially formidable opponent. Perhaps even a terrifying one, given how tough Langdon has been with local council enemies, former staff and such. Some say carnivore Craig has left more scorched earth than Vietnam era and napalm enthusiast patriot General Curtis LeMay. For all that though, his caucus colleagues regard him highly, very highly in some cases. You don’t get to be government Whip without enjoying that respect.
LANGDON GETS TOUGH
Brutality breeds respect seems to be the Langdon ethos. He’s hardcore. Carbines seems much more mild and careful a character. The very model of a modern major Chief of Staff. And yet Carbines has embarked upon a course that could lead to a vicious local confrontation.
Both are members of the moderate Labor Unity faction, and the seat under factional arrangements is allocated to that patriotic grouping.
While Langdon has upset a lot of his former staff over the years, they do not dispute that as a local MP he has amassed defences on a par with the North Korean regime. He is not so much a lover as a fighter. He is probably the most combative, prickly person in the state Parliament, not a bad claim to fame in that stone building where those attributes are not usually in short supply.
These days a confirmed bachelor, Langdon has been perceived by some to be vulnerable to political attack. Liberals in the north have been muttering darkly about their plans at the next state election against the accomplished MP and Government Whip. A local councillor who got 10% of the vote as an independent in the last state election, Jenny Mulholland, whose son was involved with leftist militants at the University of Melbourne, has emerged as a recent recruit by the Liberal party and is widely expected to run for the seat with their endorsement.
WAR BY TXT
Local party members were sent a text message by the mercurial Langdon today that read like a declaration of war:
“I am txting to advise that at 12 noon today I received advice from Anthony Carbines that he is nominating against me for preselection in Ivanhoe. Anthony has done so dispite (sic) my offer to vacate the seat for him in 2014. I believe I have the right to decide my own fate not forced from Office. The next election will not be easy to win & needs stability. Issues such as Mental health, the missing link [VEXNEWS: a reference to linking the Ring Road to Eastlink], school regeneration needs a candidate that has made a track record.”
Those who spoke with Langdon say he was enraged at what he saw as a disloyal attack by someone he was willing to trust and assist.
Carbines’s aggressive stance surprised senior Labor figures when VEXNEWS discussed it with them today but a number of them seemed to think that if Carbines was willing to chance his arm against the wily and well-numbered Langdon that they ought probably assist him.
Interestingly enough, one northern observer told VEXNEWS that he thought the Ombudsman’s recommendation and the government adoption of the proposal to ban political staffers from serving in local government helped “crystalise” Anthony’s decision that he should just “go for it.”
THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
A situation a number of MPs might find repeated. All politicians of all sides should beware a tribe of angry, politically very well connected and shafted staffer-councillors who have been told to choose between their day jobs and their passion of politics and community service. Carbines has identified a neat solution, take a state seat instead. His idea might catch on to other local councillors currently working for MPs…
When Attorney-General and friend of the left-wing judges Rob Hulls arrogantly stared down angry electorate officers and minstaffers this week and told them the legislation to disqualify them from local government would be considered as early as August, he probably didn’t realise the measure could cost at least one of his caucus colleagues their job too. Some MPs will now have to ponder whether the Ombudsman mandated legislative attack on this feisty group of secret-keepers will cause even more casualties than they first intended.
Discussion
90 comments for “BLOODSPORTS: Carbines throws down the gauntlet in Ivanhoe”
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Will Craig Langdon stand down?
Will they check his laptop?
Will they check his Government Visa?
Will they check his side trips whilst on official trips overseas?
Will they check deals done with Banyule Community health centre?
Recheck the Mall office rent- a – gate?
Will Carbines running mate be [deleted - for legal reasons]?
Carbines, What a traitor!
The West will not forget.
Anthony Carbines is dirty, dirty SCUM. He has now asked for it! THIS VILE PRICK WILL NOW GET IT!!
ive heard the current member does too
What about me?… anyone?
That’s not the first interesting text message I think of when I think of Craig Langdon.
‘flamboyant’
‘confirmed bachelor’
Whatever do you mean?
Could have completed the trifecta with ‘confirmed Bunburyist’.
Carbines has the support of both the Macklin left and Ferguson Left.
This will be a blood less coup.
ivanhoe is a Labor Unity seat – even according to the so called stabilty deal. Its time Calwell was put on the table to keep Carr honest.
Burhan for calwell
sounds like the member for northcote is playing games in the hills of ivanhoe
I am supporting Carbines for Pre-selection.
Who cares about Langdon v Carbines.
I am the next Member for Ivanhoe.
I wonder, did Craig use a parliamentary phone to send out that message?
Surely using parliamentary phones to canvass for your pre-selection is against parliamentary rules.
How many errors will Craig make? His career is over.
Carbines has the numbers.
Anyone is better than some ageing closet queen who allows himself to be filmed by a young blackmailer, who thankfully didn’t put it on youtube,yuk! It doesn’t matter how many kids you have Craig we all know the cut of your cloth. Ivanhoe will go the way of Essendon and Bendigo West swinging back to the Libs just like they swung to Labor in ‘96.
I wonder, has Carbines done a deal with SL?
Surely nominating against Craig is a loyalty test to gain Jagajaga.
How many enemies will he make? His career is over.
Langdon has the numbers.
Now that the battle has begun watch out for the other high profile State Member that is looking for a Lower House seat entering the contest.
Swing seats like Ivanhoe and Essendon need quality MPs who deliver for the community.
Madagain has done nothing for Essendon and the libs therefore have a real chance.
Labor needs score on the board in these seats between now and the election.
ALP ‘moderates’ have done nothing for Essendon. They are virtually handing the seat to the Libs.
Anyone for Essendon but the useless, self serving Judy Maddigan. How the hell did she ever get elected. Go along and see her about an issue and she will just hand you a brochure for the Ombudsman. Thanks Judy. Perhaps we don’t need a state government at all, just a building full of Ombudsman and investigators,
What really hurts Langdon is how much he has mentored and supported Carbines.
A “Judas” in my ranks…Heard that somewhere recently???
Langdon must be wishing he had now supported Sean Rawson for Mayor.
Langdon should have stepped down gracefully for the sake of the party but his ego would have got the better of him.
Now he will have to fight off all those “Shitsheets” that are distributed anonymously in the early hours of the morning.
What really hurts Langdon is how much he has mentored and supported Carbines.
A “Judas” in my ranks…Heard that somewhere recently???
Langdon must be wishing he had now supported Sean Rawson for Mayor.
Langdon should have stepped down gracefully for the sake of the party but his ego would have got the better of him.
This type of squabling is the first signs of a tired and inept government.
Perhaps I should put my hand up?
Forget about that Tom, you are destined for big and better things in HO.
Vote 1 – Dean Rizzeti!
My candidacy should cum as no surprise…
Competition is good for the party.
It’s part of the democratic process.
Does Madden still want to move to the lower house?
Madden wants to move away from the western suburbs, where they know and love him.
From an earlier article in Vexnews
“That doesn’t seem likely to us. Langdon has well and truly qualified for his pension, seems unlikely to be promoted further beyond the important post of Whip and seems highly likely to retire after a good innings. He apparently kept an open mind about staying until quite recently but has had a succession plan in place for some time that some think could involve another Banyule councillor, Bronwyn Pike Chief of Staff Anthony Carbines.”
Is this the succession plan he had in mind????
Madden for Premier
From an earlier article in Vexnews
“That doesn’t seem likely to us. Langdon has well and truly qualified for his pension, seems unlikely to be promoted further beyond the important post of Whip and seems highly likely to retire after a good innings. He apparently kept an open mind about staying until quite recently but has had a succession plan in place for some time that some think could involve another Banyule councillor, Bronwyn Pike Chief of Staff Anthony Carbines.”
Is this the succession plan Langdon had in mind?
Is it true that Langdon told Carbines that he would retire after this term and then renegged on that promise, stating his personal circumstances had changed ? Shades of Howard and Costello???
Is it true that Carbines told Langdon yesterday that he should stand down for the sake of the party as more “dirt” is to come out in State Parliament on him?
And Langdon refused stating that he had more union mates than Carbines.
Who were the other people at the meeting?
He has this one in the bag.
Craig has too much to hide, and hasn’t delivered enough.
Craig – you are the biggest loser.
1. From an earlier article in Vexnews
“That doesn’t seem likely to us. Langdon has well and truly qualified for his pension, seems unlikely to be promoted further beyond the important post of Whip and seems highly likely to retire after a good innings. He apparently kept an open mind about staying until quite recently but has had a succession plan in place for some time that some think could involve another Banyule councillor, Bronwyn Pike Chief of Staff Anthony Carbines.”
Is this the succession plan Langdon had in mind?
Is it true that Langdon told Carbines that he would retire after this term and then renegged on that promise, stating his personal circumstances had changed ? Shades of Howard and Costello???
Is it true that Carbines told Langdon yesterday that he should stand down for the sake of the party as more “dirt” is to come out in State Parliament on him?
And Langdon refused stating that he had more union mates than Carbines.
Who were the other people at the meeting?
maddan is geting keilor
Madden would be better than Holding. Holding is Brumby all over again the 1993-1999 years.
omg people get a life.craig has a family a grandchild.they both have lifes outside the labour party.
the only losers are you people leaving dumb comments!!!!!
langdon and cabines are great people and should be treated like people not blogs!!!
good luck to them both
Carbines has a lot more dirty little habits and secrets than Langdon ever did
Carbines we will use anything and stop at nothing to destroy you, the hatred we hold for you can’t be put into words.
I hope you die maimed and lonely in the gutter, but even better would be there and watch you die and suffer.
Judith Grayley would like sunshine. NWS is swinging back to Libs.
Anonymous 20:14
Ask Grandpa Langdon how many shitsheets he has distributed about other innocent people.
What goes around comes around….
One has to ask why so many former close allies (particularly former staffers of the male persuasion) turn on Langdon. What is it that they know?
Mee thinks that Carbines is starting to learn just how much of a slimy and deceitful prick Langdon is and has come to the realisation that there may in fact be some truth to the rumours that have plagued Langdon for years!
Langdon is a joke. Carbines isn’t perfect, but he’s a lot better thatn Craig.
Langdon is no joke.
He will win this pre-selection.
However the way the labor party are going the Libs have a chance in Ivanhoe.
I have submitted a photograph of Anthony Carbines to failblog.org
Langdon deserves everything he gets and it’s only a matter of time before the whole grubby truth is exposed. Everyone in the ALP knows about Langdon’s dirty little secrets however it seems that the old adage of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is alive and well in the ALP rank and file…..
Langdon and King Loui XVI have a lot in common…
Because after Ivanhoe becomes the seat that wins the election for the Libs, it will be off with Langdon’s head
why do you sad little people get so angry over such low profile people. Don’t you have better thing’s to worry about; or have you’re lives come down to issueing cyber threats and petty taunts. get a life.
Tendency and coincidence, I think not.
History shows all who oppose Mr Langdon get destroyed.
The only hope Mr Carbines has is if he rolls into the Mall Tienamin Square style. The State Member for Ivanhoe has more artilary than North Korea.
His artillery goes for 46 mins we hear
You’d think someone in Unity would have already given the Member the tap on the shoulder. Let’s hope they have because all else would be a joke. The people of Ivanhoe have been whispering more loudly lately. You can bet the Libs have let the cat out of the bag. Sleepers awake!
how do you think you? using his grandpa thing against him.what kind of loser would do that?!?!?!?!?!?
your the joke
The above is a perfect example: scraping the bottom of the proverbial barrel in a vain attempt by one Langdon’s intellectual finest (no doubt, the last of a long wragged breed of disenchanted Langdonites) to justify Langdon’s sick and twisted morality when it comes to vulnerable pre-pubescent males. History will not be forgotten Langdon!
Anthony is a patriot, end of story. Good on him for daring to do what others don’t have the balls to do, TNT out an entrenched MP who hasn’t exactly set the world on fire.
I hope Anthony dies.
Can i take it that Mr Langdon was the gay blackmail victim, that was recently highlighted in Vex News?
I demand to be considered for this vacancy. My crazy hair is receding roughly proportionately to the Australian economy and, as such, my hair will be a valuable tool in helping to predict the future economic climate. If I am not considered I will put my snaggle-toothed head on a brochure opposing Mr Carbines.
Macleod College is in Langdon’s electorate. That college was responsible for educating Richard Dalla Riva. Mr Langdon has failed to shut down that school. So he must go.
“Langdon has garnered a lot of respect from his colleagues due to his hard work as Government whip”
Enough respect for a senior minister such as Bronwyn Pike to give Mr. Carbines her blessings to boot Langdon into the political oblivion.
I matter too.
I’m surprised they let me say the name Craig Langdon on this page
I wonder why??
I’m surprised they let me say the name Craig Langdon on this page
I wonder why??
It will be close. What will Dean Sherriff do with his 20 or so votes? Could it be that Langdon’s interferance in Banyule Council could have come home to roost?
Sherriff only has 17 votes. 2 of them lapsed on 1st June and 1 may support Carbines.
Will Craig Langdon will have the support of Jake the Snake?
No. He shafted him!
Is it true that both candidates have advised Macklin they will join the Left if endorsed.
Hypocrisy is alive and well.
I’m rather surprised at Mulhulland joining the Libs. You sure this is true?
Wasn’t Dale Peters going to run in Ivanhoe?
Looks like Langdon’s under pressure from both internal and external sources, hopefully he doesn’t get too stressed out behind the wheel as he supposedly has in the past
You know if half of you actually had something decent to say, then your comments might be worthwhile. Anthony Carbine is a rat for treating Craig Langdon the way he has. As for Craig Langdons “grubby little secrets” as someone put it, why should his entire life be on the plate for everyone to see. We all have dirty secrets, especially the jerk that wrote the comment.
Langdon is entitled to have his life the way he wants it, as long as it does not impact the electorate. Which I don’t think it has
The stupid story also mentioning his bachelor-hood….So what??? Surely there are more pressing things to write rather than the fact that he is a bachelor. Who cares.
Rob…. or Craig?
Hmmmm
Is that Rob from Craig’s office who wrote that comment? Interesting.
My time is coming, whether it be now or in four years time, there will be a seat for me. One way or the other. I know what Im doing.
At least Anthony wont go out, get pissed and abuse waiters, or rent out his council officers to his mates.
You all seriously need to GROW UP and get a life. Anothony Carbines is ‘NO ONE’. Nothing but cause troulbe. Craig has stood his ground since day ONE.
Yeah, but Craig lost. Just thought you might need that pointed out to you again. Here is is once more CRAIG LOST. Game over.
Libs will win in Ivanhoe… they have gained a lot of support and ‘major’ financial backing
we want someone who really cares about the people of Ivanhoe,Ivanhoe East Heidelberg, Rosanna, Eaglemont, Macleod, Heidelberg West, Bellfield. I think all this people will be very careful who they pick to continue the good work that Craig Langdon did for us. We don’t need some like Carbines who does not care about the olymbia ward, look this is only one ward we have to look at.nothing has been done at all there is no changes at all. We need some like Craig or similar to Craig who cares about the community and work with the community. pls people be careful who you pick for the next election.
I will stop at nothing to make sure Carbines loses Ivanhoe, I will feed the Liberals information and money.
Carbines you should start introducing yourself now,so people will know who you r, coz I will be running for the LIbs. 2010 is ours.I Would like to thank Mr Brumby for picking the wrong horse coz Craig is gone Labor is gone too. great chance………. yes yes yes
Ivanhoe will be mine!
Seat of Ivanhoe will be decided by the people who lived and pay tax for the electrac of Ivanhoe. My ????? is how is carbines & his supporter from the central branch going to win the seat of Ivanhoe considering Carbines does not do any work for the community nor answering phone calls for the community. I wonder how does he thinks of the people that belongs to the seat of Ivanhoe. they are stupid like him. I don’t think so… people remembered things well and clear until the next election. wow hit me babe…..
Clearly the person blogging and making anon comments has command of the english language to that of a grade sixer.
clearly If I offended you people with my english sorry coz I am from Somalia and if I am hurting your feeling pls go and get a life yourself coz vex news is a free country news anyway you better try to learn my language and see who is the smartie pants.bye bye
good on you for standing up for yrself.
Anthony is a dirtbag and Craig deserves better respect. He has done so much and has helped Anthony to get to where he is and now he goes against Craig. What kind of mp quality is thaT?!?!?