Mark Latham defends conduct towards MP Alex Greenwich at final day of tribunal hearing
Mr Greenwich is suing the former federal Labor leader in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), alleging four public statements by Mr Latham breach the state's Anti-Discrimination Act.
One of the statements — a tweet posted by Mr Latham in March 2023 which referenced sexual activity in explicit terms — has already been found by the Federal Court to be defamatory.
Mr Greenwich was awarded $140,000 in that case.
Mr Latham's tweet came after Mr Greenwich gave a comment to a journalist describing Mr Latham as "a disgusting human being", when was asked about violence towards LGBT protesters who had gathered outside a church where Mr Latham was expected to speak.
On the final hearing day, Mr Latham was cross-examined by barrister Prue Bindon, for Mr Greenwich, about his employment status around the time of the tweet.
Mr Latham agreed he resigned in early March 2023 and was a candidate for the One Nation party.
Ms Bindon took Mr Latham through One Nation documents which recorded payment including $2,500 to Mr Latham, which Mr Latham believed was a refund of earlier expenses.
Mr Greenwich's legal team raised recent posts from Mr Latham on Twitter, now X, and expressed concern that if there are future references to the primary tweet or evocations of similar language, the harm to their client may be exacerbated.
Mr Latham's lawyer Zali Burrows complained about the "endless affidavits" being filed in the case.
Senior member Mandy Tibbey said "it's desirable there be a cessation of hostilities between the parties", suggesting they could reach some kind of undertaking before the tribunal makes its final decision.
In one recent post, Mr Latham suggested that the NCAT case involved an "absurd proposition" that Mr Greenwich should "never be publicly criticised".
Today he told the tribunal: "Clearly members of parliament have disagreements all the time."
He said his recent online activity was responding to issues raised in parliament, claiming there had been "two-and-a-half years of misrepresentations" about him and there came a point where he was entitled to respond.
Earlier, Mr Greenwich's husband Victor Hoeld, told the tribunal he was "very concerned" about the impact of public statements on Mr Greenwich.
But he said he tried to not watch "every single media clipping" or item in the media.
"It's very distressing to watch Alex struggle or be talked about … it's been going on for two years," Mr Hoeld said.
"It's had a big impact on my life.
"I try and avoid triggering events and interviews like that and watching them because of the effect it's had on me and Alex … it's basically changed everything."
Outside court, Mr Greenwich told the media he was "really relieved the hearing process is now over".
Each side will now give written submissions to the tribunal in late October.
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