Labor To Add Disclaimer To Mark Latham Portrait In Parliament
Image: NSW Legislative Council/Facebook
A disclaimer will be added to the portrait of Mark Latham hanging in Parliament House, condemning the former federal Labor leader’s behaviour.
The move comes following allegations of domestic violence from his former girlfriend Nathalie Matthews, who claims Latham engaged in a “sustained pattern” of emotional, psychological and financial manipulation during their relationship.
Her application for a private Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against the independent MP includes allegations that Latham pressured her to have sex with others, participate in degrading sexual acts, and even struck her with his car’s side mirror.
On Monday, members of parliament concerned about Latham’s portrait agreed that new text should be added to the photo.
“In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor party and banned for life,” the disclaimer will read.
“His actions do not accord with Labor values, and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand.”
Latham retired from politics in 2005, after two years leading the federal Labor party through a loss at the 2004 election.
After returning to politics in 2017, he joined the Liberal Democratic Party, leading to his lifetime ban from Labor.
The following year, he joined One Nation’s NSW branch, but was fired as state leader in 2023 after making homophobic comments about independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich.
Latham remains in NSW parliament as an independent.
Minister for women: “we can’t pretend he wasn’t our leader”
Finance minister and minister for women Katy Gallagher said the decision to add text to the portrait struck a balance between condemning Latham’s behaviour, while also acknowledging his role in the party.
“You can’t erase history,” she said. “We can’t pretend he wasn’t our leader. He was, and so there he sits in the leader’s timeline.”
“Everyone feels really strongly about it, but I think… the words allow people to feel that something’s been done and stated publicly, and it will exist there forever on our leader’s wall. It’s a pretty strong statement,” she said.
“Putting a factual statement on the photo I think sends an important message.”
Posting to X on Monday, Latham ridiculed Labor’s decision, writing: “Can’t the Labor caucus go the full Stalin and white me [out] with a trace around my head?” Latham said.
He has firmly denied the allegations, calling them “complete nonsense” at a rambling press conference on Sunday, where he also claimed he had “broken no law”.
On Monday night, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “very clear” about his opposition to Latham becoming the federal leader of the Labor party, following the collapse of Simon Crean’s leadership in 2003,
“Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas,” Albanese told 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson. “He’s someone who I regret ever being elected leader of the Labor party.”
Latham was already facing calls to resign after he lost a defamation case against Greenwich earlier this year, although more members of parliament are demanding he stand down.
Matthews’ AVO application is scheduled to be heard at the Downing Centre Local Court on 30 July.
You are not alone. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual or family violence and needs support, you can contact:
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- LGBTQ+ Rainbow Sexual, Domestic & Family Violence Service Help Line: 1800 385 578
- NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
- Alan Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Mensline 1300789978
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015
- QLife (3pm to midnight): 1800 184 527
- 13YARN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander line) – 13 92 76
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