Former federal Labor leader Mark Latham has been embroiled in scandal this week, with allegations of inappropriate behaviour while sitting in parliamentary chambers.Once a prime ministerial hopeful as he faced John Howard at the 2004 election, serving the infamous stern handshake, the now NSW state MP is no stranger to controversy.
This week, the filing of an apprehended violence order application by a former partner has given rise to further allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Former prime minister John Howard and then-Opposition leader Mark Latham shake hands as they cross paths at the ABC studios on the 2004 election campaign trail. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
NSW Premier Chris Minns labelled the claims “very troubling”, while former federal colleague Tanya Plibersek said discussions were underway to have Latham’s portrait removed from Labor’s caucus room.
So, how did we get here?
What are the allegations?
The media storm started on Tuesday following reports that Latham’s former partner, Nathalie Matthews, was seeking an apprehended violence order (AVO) in a Sydney local court.She claims she was the victim of sustained abuse, forced to perform degrading sexual acts and that Latham drove a car at her. The 64-year-old has denied all allegations via X, stating he had “scores of documents” that he will use to defend himself against the claims. The local court has refused media applications for the documents as they contain untested allegations.
It followed a frenzy of leaks, including alleged “sexting” exchanges between the pair while Latham was sitting in the parliamentary chamber.
The leaked exchanges contain allegations that Latham took photos of female colleagues, including Liberal MP Susan Carter, speaking in parliament and made derogatory remarks about them.Carter told reporters Latham rang her to apologise.”I appreciated the apology — now it’s time to get on with the job people expect us to do,” she said on Thursday.The Sydney Morning Herald also reported this week that Latham recorded a sex tape while in parliamentary office.Latham told the paper: “You’re asking me to dispute something I haven’t seen … is this really today’s journalism? Grow up. You’re obviously a clown.”
He later shared screenshots of the request for comment text message exchange on X, saying “sick puppies” were making these requests regularly.
‘He’d be gone tomorrow’: What’s the reaction been?
Federal Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek said while she’s not seen evidence of similar behaviour, the elevation of Latham to Labor leader in 2003 prompted her to cry.”Do you know I’ve been a Member of Parliament for a long time, and the only time I remember going home and having a little cry after work was the day that Mark Latham was elected as leader of the Australian Labor Party?,” she said on Friday.
“I always had my doubts about him as a political figure, and I think those doubts have only increased in recent decades as his behaviour has become worse and more extreme.”
Mark Latham’s former federal colleague Tanya Plibersek said the only time she recalls crying after work as an MP was the day Latham was elected as the party’s leader.
Senior state government minister Rose Jackson said Latham should be shunned by MPs across the political spectrum.”I don’t like working in a workplace with someone like that who thinks that kind of behaviour is acceptable,” Jackson told reporters.Latham’s “very troubling” alleged behaviour would not be acceptable elsewhere, Minns said.”In a typical workplace he’d be gone tomorrow,” Minns told reporters.The government plans to call for an inquiry into Latham over unrelated alleged abuses of parliamentary privilege when parliament resumes in August.Latham is two years into his eight-year term, elected by voters until 2031.— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
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