Mark Latham escapes condemnation over behaviour in parliament - at least for now

Rogue MP Mark Latham has escaped attempts by the NSW government to condemn his behaviour in parliament after he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege to reveal secret information.

Labor’s leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, moved to condemn Latham, arguing he revealed contents of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report which was under a non-publication order, and shared medical information relating to MP Alex Greenwich, which the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal intended to be kept confidential.

“The Honourable Mark Latham, MLC, has done and said things that challenge the work we all do to better the culture of this place, and he has abused the privileges and immunities that we hold,” Sharpe said.

The LECC report on Operation Askern detailed an investigation into the Commissioner’s gin scandal after then-police commissioner Karen Webb used public funds to purchase alcohol from a distillery owned by one of her friends to be used as gifts. The contents of the report were made available to MPs with an order preventing their release to the public.

The government failed to get the support needed to pass the motion condemning Latham, with the Coalition and the Greens voting to delay the debate until October. The house agreed to refer Latham to the powerful privileges committee first.

The committee will also look into the conduct of Latham and other members towards MPs and staff and the progress parliament is making towards a safer workplace culture after it was revealed through leaked messages that Latham had taken secret photographs of female MPs in the chamber.

Liberal Susan Carter, the subject of one of the photographs, said she would not support a motion condemning Latham until the committee had reported back.

Latham used the fiery debate to rehash grievances against his political nemesis, Greenwich, as well as Webb, Labor MPs and the media.

He argued “it was arrogant” of the LECC to make the report secret, and he saw no reason for the order.

“I considered it carefully and took appropriate advice, and I made a judgment in the public interest that the speech I gave in this place was appropriate and was needed,” he said.

The privileges committee is expected to report back to the Legislative Council by October 1.

Greenwich said it was “deeply troubling” that the Greens and Liberals voted to delay the motion “given the seriousness of the issues raised, and the public outrage”.

Liberal leader Mark Speakman said his party wasn’t kicking the motion down the road, but wanted the house to be fully informed by the committee before condemning Latham’s behaviour.

“We need to get to the bottom of exactly the extent to which he has abused parliamentary privilege and then appropriately support an appropriate motion,” Speakman said.

Latham, a former federal Labor leader and one-time NSW One Nation MP, became embroiled in a fresh scandal when his former partner, Nathalie Matthews, filed for an apprehended violence order against him, claiming he abused her emotionally and physically during their relationship.

Latham strongly denies the accusations. The Herald does not suggest the allegations are true, just that they have been made.

The AVO matter remains before the courts.

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