28/10/2023
FROM MY NOTEBOOK. EXTRACT FROM EULOGY GIVEN AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BRIAN LANGTON. FORMER MP FOR KOGARAH AND CARR GOVERNMENT MINISTER. By Richard Amery.
(Acknowledgements).....I have only a short time to say, what could be a lot about Brian Langton. Brian had so many chapters to his story, I have been challenged to work out which chapter to highlight........His time in Parliament, which we shared from Day-1, is on the record. We were new backbenchers during the last 5 years of the Wran and Unsworth Governments. I could see early that Brian would succeed. Well dressed, Florsheim shoes, he would have done an evening TV newsreader proud. He was good on his feet in Parliament, effective media performer, it was no surprise when he was elected to the Labor Opposition front bench following the 1988 elections......As a shadow Minister he worked on policy, pressured the the Government followings their sackings from the railways.....any wonder a news column reported that when a number of Coalition Government Ministers were asked, if they could have one of the Opposition on their team, who would they choose. The majority answer was 'Brian Langton.' WE went into Cabinet together in 1995. With all the pressures of the day, like Budgets, economic reforms, honouring election promises, Brian drew attention from both sides of the Parliament, making him respected and liked. An example given to me by former MP for Barwon, Ian Slack-Smith is a case in point. Ian said that his Electorate was tragically hit by a number of fatal rail crossing accidents. The locals, and organisations like the CWA and the Farmers Association had been lobbying for years to get reflective tape or paint on freight trains, so that they could be seen in bad weather and at night. Ian said he phoned Brian direct. Brian responded. I'll get back to you." Ian told me in 48 hours the request was granted. He always respected Brian for being so approachable.......The Brian Langton I, we will miss, is the eccentric, "grumpy", quick witted character we liked to have around. The Brian Langton who was obsessive about grammar, pronunciation, punctuation and dress codes. On that last point, I think it was at a Shadow Cabinet visit to the Central Coast. Being a regional meeting, I wore a check sports coat, brown pants and shoes. But there was something about the mismatch of my shirt and tie that caught Brian's attention. As I exchanged hellos to people in the circle, Brian just bellowed out..."Amery, did you get dressed in the dark?" All I could say was hello Brian. This kind of welcome got to the extent that when we knew we would meet up, we would both research or think of an insult we could fling at each other. One time, I thought I had him beat. Introducing him to a group of people at a Bowls Carnival, I declared. "This is Brian Langton, in Parliament he is an MP without peer.. he only has superiors." Brian's laugh was the loudest. He waited a few minutes until a new addition to the circle arrive and then he countered. This is Richard Amery. He is a modest man and frankly he has a lot to be modest about." One Nil to Brian. Of course the exchanges were just great fun. His routine was not just for me for he told me once with some pride, that one of "his girls" likened him to the TV series star, Doc Martin. Of course, Brian Langton was a Doc Martin long before there was a TV Doc Martin. I was happy that he became an active member of the Parliamentary Bowls Club. Of course, Brian acted the usual routine. "I don't care for it much" "I am only in it for the catch up with colleagues" etc etc. He did not fool me. I could see that after playing well in a game his side won, you could see the grin and confident walk. Also, he accepted to most games and Carnivals and of note, he always played with his late Father's bowls. He would have been so proud of that. I, we will miss Brian's cheek, those calls and messages on your birthday, him playing the guitar at many events, I will miss Brian and Elizabeth supporting the annual bowls carnival, I will miss the challenge of trying to match wits with the 'wordsmith' that Brian Langton was. We will just miss the person who is Brian Langton. Rest in Peace good friend. Our lives are better because you were a part of it. END
