State election 2014 Victoria: Banyule Mayor Craig Langdon runs as Independent in Ivanhoe

BANYULE Mayor Craig Langdon has nominated as an independent in this month’s state election, taking on former protege and Labor MP Anthony Carbines.

Olympic Village

MORE than three years after he was booted from the Victorian Labor Party, Banyule Mayor Craig Langdon is running for the seat of Ivanhoe at the November election.

This pits him against Anthony Carbines, who toppled Cr Langdon for preselection before the 2010 state election.

Cr Langdon, 57, who held the seat of Ivanhoe for 16 years, and at one stage was lower house whip in the Brumby government, lodged his nomination as an Labour Independent this morning.

He told the Heidelberg Leader after years of speculation he had decided he would recontest the seat of Ivanhoe because he believed “it’s time to make a difference”.

“I still have my Labor values,” Cr Langdon said.

“I’m a (Gough) Whitlam fanatic. He may not have been the best economic manager but he’s been my inspiration for a long time.”

Cr Langdon said the issues he would be championing include:

Banyule Mayor and Ivanhoe state Independent candidate Craig Langdon

A new combined police and ambulance complex on Southern Rd, Heidelberg West;

Pool funding for the additional stages of the Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre redevelopment;

A better deal for schoolchildren in the 3081 postcode;

Funding for a new Ivanhoe library and community hub;

Cash for phase two of Olympic Village Hub project;

Support for Heidelberg School of Artists Gallery;

Funding for water harvesting along the Olympic Park section of the Darebin Creek;

A traffic plan for the future of Rosanna Rd and the area; and

A better deal for public transport users in Ivanhoe with more trains and buses, more train car parking, better links to bus services and more frequent timetables.

“It is true the comparisons between my work ethic and support for people could not be more different from the current state member,” Cr Langdon said.

“I have presumed the reason behind the interest in my recontesting the seat by local residents is the total dissatisfaction with the current state member.

“Time and time again I have received complaints about his and his office’s total disregard for local residents and any issue they have.”

Cr Langdon said he would be taking a leave of absence from his duties as mayor and councillor.

Ivanhoe state Labor MP Anthony Carbines said the community needed an MP who was the member of a Labor Government that would “deliver more jobs and invest in our local education, health and public transport priorities”.

“I am raising my family in Rosanna. I understand the cost of living pressures that we all face,” Mr Carbines said.

“More than ever, we can’t afford another four years of instability and the circus that has defined the Napthine Liberal Government.”