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The Advertiser
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
PM slams 'repulsive' Latham as Labor portrait remains
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Sydney Morning Herald
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Albanese's desk shows how he leads all other prime ministers in one way
Every prime minister's desk says something about them. Kevin Rudd's desk had haphazard rows of books and CDs. Scott Morrison's bragged about stopping the boats. Julia Gillard inverted two paintings hung by her predecessor. When Anthony Albanese returns to parliament this week, commanding a historic 94-seat majority, he will sit in front of a shelf surrounded by more sports memorabilia than any prime minister in living memory. The selection of adornments fulfils many of the stories Albanese has told about himself over the years and some of the things that the prime minister is less interested in displaying compared to his predecessors, chiefly books. His reverence for his 'three faiths' – the Catholic Church, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Australian Labor Party – manifests itself in an image of the Virgin Mary, a Rabbitohs ball and the man himself. Loading Where former prime ministers have opted for grand works from Parliament House's extensive art collection, Albanese hangs a drawing of beloved dog Toto sent to him by a fan. Beside it is a print from recently deceased Sydney Morning Herald cartoonist John Shakespeare imagining the PM proposing to fiancee Jodie Haydon. Haydon, who Albanese is expected to wed during this term of parliament, features in at least three framed photographs, second only to his son. Nathan appears in images from across the years: as a laughing baby with his grandmother, Maryanne; a spectator at the MCG; and in a Sydney Swans jersey. Then there's the sports paraphernalia, with at least six balls from major Australian sporting codes. A rugby league ball commemorating the prime minister's support for the code, a gift from the NRL, sits alongside a soccer ball from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Rabbitohs ball, a cricket ball in a glass case, and a signed red Sherrin AFL ball. Next to bound volumes of parliamentary acts sits a haphazard pile of books, including domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty's memoir Hope, Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself and rising star of the Labor caucus Andrew Charlton's Australia's Pivot to India.
The Age
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Albanese's desk shows how he leads all other prime ministers in one way
Every prime minister's desk says something about them. Kevin Rudd's desk had haphazard rows of books and CDs. Scott Morrison's bragged about stopping the boats. Julia Gillard inverted two paintings hung by her predecessor. When Anthony Albanese returns to parliament this week, commanding a historic 94-seat majority, he will sit in front of a shelf surrounded by more sports memorabilia than any prime minister in living memory. The selection of adornments fulfils many of the stories Albanese has told about himself over the years and some of the things that the prime minister is less interested in displaying compared to his predecessors, chiefly books. His reverence for his 'three faiths' – the Catholic Church, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Australian Labor Party – manifests itself in an image of the Virgin Mary, a Rabbitohs ball and the man himself. Loading Where former prime ministers have opted for grand works from Parliament House's extensive art collection, Albanese hangs a drawing of beloved dog Toto sent to him by a fan. Beside it is a print from recently deceased Sydney Morning Herald cartoonist John Shakespeare imagining the PM proposing to fiancee Jodie Haydon. Haydon, who Albanese is expected to wed during this term of parliament, features in at least three framed photographs, second only to his son. Nathan appears in images from across the years: as a laughing baby with his grandmother, Maryanne; a spectator at the MCG; and in a Sydney Swans jersey. Then there's the sports paraphernalia, with at least six balls from major Australian sporting codes. A rugby league ball commemorating the prime minister's support for the code, a gift from the NRL, sits alongside a soccer ball from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Rabbitohs ball, a cricket ball in a glass case, and a signed red Sherrin AFL ball. Next to bound volumes of parliamentary acts sits a haphazard pile of books, including domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty's memoir Hope, Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself and rising star of the Labor caucus Andrew Charlton's Australia's Pivot to India.
The Advertiser
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Latham portrait stays on the hook in Labor party room
A picture of former Labor leader Mark Latham will keep hanging in the party's caucus room as he faces domestic violence allegations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse. Her allegations include he pressured her to take part in "degrading" sex acts. Mr Latham strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". Calls have grown since the allegations were raised for his official portrait in Labor's federal party room to be removed. But a Labor caucus meeting on Monday was told a "unanimous consensus position" had been reached where the photo would remain, but with a caption providing context. The words will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. The Federal Court in 2024 ordered Mr Latham pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A picture of former Labor leader Mark Latham will keep hanging in the party's caucus room as he faces domestic violence allegations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse. Her allegations include he pressured her to take part in "degrading" sex acts. Mr Latham strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". Calls have grown since the allegations were raised for his official portrait in Labor's federal party room to be removed. But a Labor caucus meeting on Monday was told a "unanimous consensus position" had been reached where the photo would remain, but with a caption providing context. The words will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. The Federal Court in 2024 ordered Mr Latham pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A picture of former Labor leader Mark Latham will keep hanging in the party's caucus room as he faces domestic violence allegations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse. Her allegations include he pressured her to take part in "degrading" sex acts. Mr Latham strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". Calls have grown since the allegations were raised for his official portrait in Labor's federal party room to be removed. But a Labor caucus meeting on Monday was told a "unanimous consensus position" had been reached where the photo would remain, but with a caption providing context. The words will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. The Federal Court in 2024 ordered Mr Latham pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A picture of former Labor leader Mark Latham will keep hanging in the party's caucus room as he faces domestic violence allegations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse. Her allegations include he pressured her to take part in "degrading" sex acts. Mr Latham strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". Calls have grown since the allegations were raised for his official portrait in Labor's federal party room to be removed. But a Labor caucus meeting on Monday was told a "unanimous consensus position" had been reached where the photo would remain, but with a caption providing context. The words will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. The Federal Court in 2024 ordered Mr Latham pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
The Advertiser
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Mark Latham set to be shamed with damning caption to official ALP portrait
The Australian Labor Party will not remove an official portrait of former leader Mark Latham from its caucus room but it will add a damning caption. On July 21, Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said members had decided to add the following words under the ex-ALP leader's portrait in the caucus room in Canberra: "In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham wrote on X in response to the decision: "Can't the Labor caucus go the full Stalin and white me with a trace around my head? Or replace that boring headshot with what the AFR says is my harem? Much more scenic." Labor Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, who is the chair of the Federal Labor Caucus and Labor's Status of Women Committee and also chaired the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards, updated the Labor caucus on discussions among those concerned about the Latham portrait, all of whom agreed that it should remain with an accompanying note or plaque. It comes after allegations of domestic violence by his ex-lover and claims that he took photographs of female colleagues without their consent and made derogatory remarks in private messages leaked to the media. Some Labor MPs wanted his portrait removed from the federal caucus room, including social services minister Tanya Plibersek. Ms Gallagher told the ABC that while caucus members had "considered" removing the portrait, ultimately it would remain. READ MORE: 'He is a pig': Female MPs react to allegations Latham photographed them "I think there is a recognition on balance that, you know, you can't erase history," she said. "He was a leader, he was our leader for two years, and, you know, sitting there on the wall is an indication of where we have been, and perhaps for all of us, somewhere we don't want to return to." Mr Latham served as the leader of the Labor Party and leader of the opposition from December 2003 to January 2005, famously losing the 2004 election to John Howard. He left the ALP in 2017 and was expelled by the party. He joined Pauline Hanson's One Nation party in 2018, gaining a seat in the NSW upper house at the 2019 election. Mr Latham became an independent in 2023 after being fired by Ms Hanson. ACM has reached out to Mark Latham's office. The Australian Labor Party will not remove an official portrait of former leader Mark Latham from its caucus room but it will add a damning caption. On July 21, Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said members had decided to add the following words under the ex-ALP leader's portrait in the caucus room in Canberra: "In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham wrote on X in response to the decision: "Can't the Labor caucus go the full Stalin and white me with a trace around my head? Or replace that boring headshot with what the AFR says is my harem? Much more scenic." Labor Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, who is the chair of the Federal Labor Caucus and Labor's Status of Women Committee and also chaired the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards, updated the Labor caucus on discussions among those concerned about the Latham portrait, all of whom agreed that it should remain with an accompanying note or plaque. It comes after allegations of domestic violence by his ex-lover and claims that he took photographs of female colleagues without their consent and made derogatory remarks in private messages leaked to the media. Some Labor MPs wanted his portrait removed from the federal caucus room, including social services minister Tanya Plibersek. Ms Gallagher told the ABC that while caucus members had "considered" removing the portrait, ultimately it would remain. READ MORE: 'He is a pig': Female MPs react to allegations Latham photographed them "I think there is a recognition on balance that, you know, you can't erase history," she said. "He was a leader, he was our leader for two years, and, you know, sitting there on the wall is an indication of where we have been, and perhaps for all of us, somewhere we don't want to return to." Mr Latham served as the leader of the Labor Party and leader of the opposition from December 2003 to January 2005, famously losing the 2004 election to John Howard. He left the ALP in 2017 and was expelled by the party. He joined Pauline Hanson's One Nation party in 2018, gaining a seat in the NSW upper house at the 2019 election. Mr Latham became an independent in 2023 after being fired by Ms Hanson. ACM has reached out to Mark Latham's office. The Australian Labor Party will not remove an official portrait of former leader Mark Latham from its caucus room but it will add a damning caption. On July 21, Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said members had decided to add the following words under the ex-ALP leader's portrait in the caucus room in Canberra: "In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham wrote on X in response to the decision: "Can't the Labor caucus go the full Stalin and white me with a trace around my head? Or replace that boring headshot with what the AFR says is my harem? Much more scenic." Labor Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, who is the chair of the Federal Labor Caucus and Labor's Status of Women Committee and also chaired the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards, updated the Labor caucus on discussions among those concerned about the Latham portrait, all of whom agreed that it should remain with an accompanying note or plaque. It comes after allegations of domestic violence by his ex-lover and claims that he took photographs of female colleagues without their consent and made derogatory remarks in private messages leaked to the media. Some Labor MPs wanted his portrait removed from the federal caucus room, including social services minister Tanya Plibersek. Ms Gallagher told the ABC that while caucus members had "considered" removing the portrait, ultimately it would remain. READ MORE: 'He is a pig': Female MPs react to allegations Latham photographed them "I think there is a recognition on balance that, you know, you can't erase history," she said. "He was a leader, he was our leader for two years, and, you know, sitting there on the wall is an indication of where we have been, and perhaps for all of us, somewhere we don't want to return to." Mr Latham served as the leader of the Labor Party and leader of the opposition from December 2003 to January 2005, famously losing the 2004 election to John Howard. He left the ALP in 2017 and was expelled by the party. He joined Pauline Hanson's One Nation party in 2018, gaining a seat in the NSW upper house at the 2019 election. Mr Latham became an independent in 2023 after being fired by Ms Hanson. ACM has reached out to Mark Latham's office. The Australian Labor Party will not remove an official portrait of former leader Mark Latham from its caucus room but it will add a damning caption. On July 21, Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said members had decided to add the following words under the ex-ALP leader's portrait in the caucus room in Canberra: "In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham wrote on X in response to the decision: "Can't the Labor caucus go the full Stalin and white me with a trace around my head? Or replace that boring headshot with what the AFR says is my harem? Much more scenic." Labor Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, who is the chair of the Federal Labor Caucus and Labor's Status of Women Committee and also chaired the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards, updated the Labor caucus on discussions among those concerned about the Latham portrait, all of whom agreed that it should remain with an accompanying note or plaque. It comes after allegations of domestic violence by his ex-lover and claims that he took photographs of female colleagues without their consent and made derogatory remarks in private messages leaked to the media. Some Labor MPs wanted his portrait removed from the federal caucus room, including social services minister Tanya Plibersek. Ms Gallagher told the ABC that while caucus members had "considered" removing the portrait, ultimately it would remain. READ MORE: 'He is a pig': Female MPs react to allegations Latham photographed them "I think there is a recognition on balance that, you know, you can't erase history," she said. "He was a leader, he was our leader for two years, and, you know, sitting there on the wall is an indication of where we have been, and perhaps for all of us, somewhere we don't want to return to." Mr Latham served as the leader of the Labor Party and leader of the opposition from December 2003 to January 2005, famously losing the 2004 election to John Howard. He left the ALP in 2017 and was expelled by the party. He joined Pauline Hanson's One Nation party in 2018, gaining a seat in the NSW upper house at the 2019 election. Mr Latham became an independent in 2023 after being fired by Ms Hanson. ACM has reached out to Mark Latham's office.
