Top Law Enforcement Figure Now Investigating Mark Latham Over Alleged Outburst at Rosehill

A senior Australian law enforcement figure has been hired by Racing NSW to investigate the alleged outburst by Mark Latham towards a race club official at Rosehill earlier this month.

Latham allegedly directed “unprovoked verbal abuse” at Steve McMahon, the head of corporate affairs and government relations of the Australian Turf Club (ATC).

Latham was allegedly confronting McMahon over the proposed $5 billion sale of the racecourse for residential development. Witnesses claim Latham threatened to unseat both McMahon and ATC chair Peter McGauran over the proposal, which aims to build 25,000 homes and a metro station on the site.

The politician has been a vocal critic of the Rosehill sale, arguing it would harm the racing industry and betray ATC members. He has actively campaigned against the proposal, including promoting a petition to remove McGauran and another board member from their positions.

The ATC has postponed the member vote on the sale until May 12, citing the need for members to have sufficient information to make an informed decision. The investigation into Latham’s alleged outburst is ongoing, with potential sanctions ranging from warnings to suspension or cancellation of his membership.

The incident prompted an immediate investigation by the Australian Turf Club, but it is also being assessed by Michael Phelan.

Phelan is a former executive of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and is ex-deputy commissioner for national security with the Australian Federal Police.

The ATC board reportedly met earlier this week to discuss Latham’s behaviour, and have commissioned their own external review.

Latham faces potential suspension of his membership over his outburst at McMahon, who is a long-time friend of Premier Chris Minns.

Racing NSW could also take action against him as an industry participant, owing to his ownership of racehorses. They have brought in Phelan to determine whether or not the MP was in breach of the Rules of Racing

Phelan to examine and determine the fate of Latham & his membership

Phelan, who is a sports integrity and policing consultant for the Asian Racing Federation and an advisor to global risk and corporate intelligence consultancy Kroll, has been asked to examine whether Latham was responsible for “conduct detrimental to the interests of racing”.

Under the Rules of Racing, which gives racing authorities wide-reaching powers, it is stated that a person must not engage in “improper or insulting behaviour at any time towards a PRA [principal racing authority], the stewards, a club, or any official, employee, contractor or agent of any of them in relation to the relevant person’s functions, powers or duties”.

Latham, who recently lost a costly legal battle against independent MP Alex Greenwich, took to X to express his disdain of Phelan’s appointment.

“Can you believe that the kooks at Racing NSW has [sic] sent me a letter saying they have commissioned a guy who works for Kroll to investigate if I insulted Steve McMahon,” he previously posted. “A grave case of hurt feelings. Kroll is an American company described by French intelligence as a CIA front.”

His recent post states, “The person ‘investigating’ for the ATC is a She/Her/Hers pronoun lawyer, enough said. The person ‘investigating’ for Racing NSW works for Kroll, an American owned company known as “the private CIA”😳 One guarantee: this BS won’t deter me from scrutinising racing corruption in NSW”.

“This is why we have a crossbench in parliament,” he continued. “Labor, Liberal and Nationals won’t touch the issue because the Tele, SMH and 2GB are owned by Racing NSW. A very Sydney story.”

The person ‘investigating’ for the ATC is a She/Her/Hers pronoun lawyer, enough said.
The person ‘investigating’ for Racing NSW works for Kroll, an American owned company known as “the private CIA”😳
One guarantee: this BS won’t deter me from scrutinising racing corruption in NSW

— Real Mark Latham (@RealMarkLatham) April 10, 2025

While Phelan is a strategic advisor for investigations, diligence, and compliance for Kroll, it is understood that Phelan as been engaged by Racing NSW in a personal capacity.

While racing stewards usually investigate possible breaches of rules and hand down penalties at their discretion, the regulator opted to have the Latham matter investigated independently because of his public criticism of Racing NSW and its chief executive, Peter V’landys.

It is expected that Phelan will make a recommendation to the Racing NSW board.

SMH reports that Racing NSW said it was unable to comment on any matter but would “always ensure due process and natural justice is provided at all times”.

The ATC’s 11,000+ members began voting online on the Rosehill proposal last month ahead of an extraordinary general meeting to determine whether the plan will go ahead.

The vote was due to be held on April 3, but was pushed back to May 12 – six days before voting was scheduled to begin. Racing NSW said voting needed to be pushed back because insufficient information had been provided to members.

Latham and other opponents of the sale have said they believe the meeting was delayed because most members were voting against it.