Mark Latham, the controversial former Labor leader turned independent MP, is facing significant legal and financial repercussions following a homophobic tweet directed at NSW Independent MP Alex Greenwich. In September, Greenwich was awarded $140,000 in damages after successfully suing Latham for defamation over a tweet that graphically described a sexual act.
Latham’s derogatory tweet came in the context of the 2023 state election, responding to Greenwich’s description of him as a “disgusting human being.” The court found that Latham’s comments not only defamed Greenwich but also subjected him to severe abusive backlash, including death threats, as Greenwich is a prominent advocate for the LGBTQI community.
Initially, Latham had the opportunity to settle the case by retracting his statements and paying $20,000 in compensation, without admitting any wrongdoing. However, his legal counsel argued that accepting such an offer could damage Latham’s reputation in the long run. Consequently, Latham rejected the settlement, leading to the court case that resulted in the hefty damages payout.
Justice David O’Callaghan ruled that Latham’s decision to decline the settlement was not unreasonable but nonetheless ordered him to cover Greenwich’s legal costs, which are estimated to surpass $600,000. Although Latham’s lawyer contended that he should only be liable for a fraction of these costs due to the circumstances of the settlement offer, the judge deemed it appropriate to uphold standard party-party costs, typically covering around 70% of legal fees.
Beyond the financial implications, Latham’s tweet has adversely affected his political standing. The ruling Labor Party has cited the incident as a justification for refusing to collaborate with him on legislative matters in the closely contested upper house. Despite these challenges, Latham’s salary of $172,500 per year ensures he remains in his position until his term ends in 2031.
Latham’s failure to acknowledge the impact of his tweet, coupled with the ruling against him, underscores the serious ramifications that can arise from political discourse gone awry, particularly when it perpetuates hate and discrimination.