Latest news with #homosexualvilification
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Never-ending story': Tribunal's move in Mark Latham's fight against homosexual vilification case
A tribunal has moved to prevent Mark Latham's homosexual vilification case from snowballing into a 'never-ending story', rejecting an application which would allow Alex Greenwich to continue filing fresh evidence of harm by the former Labor leader. A homophobic post and further comments made by Mr Latham on X and in media interviews are at the centre of a vilification and sexual harassment case launched by openly gay independent MP Alex Greenwich against Mr Latham in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Mr Latham was previously ordered to pay Mr Greenwich $140,000 after the Federal Court ruled that the primary post could convey the meaning that Mr Greenwich 'engages in disgusting sexual activities'. Mark Latham's lawyer Zali Burrows on Wednesday warned a push to enable Mr Greenwich to file further evidence of alleged harm by her client would risk the case turning into a 'never-ending story'. Mr Greenwich's lawyer, Prue Bindon, had sought permission for her client to continue filing affidavits detailing alleged ongoing harm by Mr Latham as the case begins to draw to a close. 'Regrettably it seems that the harm continues with each day of hearing, and if there is further harm created by messages posted on X or other forums referencing or producing comments from the public referencing the primary tweet, we do say exacerbates the harm experienced by Mr Greenwich and it is relevant for the tribunal to consider,' Ms Bindon said. 'Endless affidavits, this is becoming a never-ending story,' Mr Latham's lawyer, Zali Burrows, replied. 'If Mr Greenwich keeps filing further affidavits we'll be seeking to file something in reply … as I said, this is going to become never-ending.' Ms Bindon accepted there had to be an 'end point', but firmly maintained evidence of further harm was crucial for the tribunal to consider. Ms Bindon at one stage said Mr Latham was able to reply if he wished, prompting him to raise his hand and tell the tribunal 'Yeah I'll say something to you about it' from the gallery. Senior member Mandy Tibbey decided the matter needed be brought to a close for the sake of both parties, rejecting Ms Bindon's application. 'It's desirable for the hostility of the parties to come to an end … but in terms of bringing this matter to a conclusion as both parties seem to want, the next step is to have written submissions,' Ms Tibbey said. However portions of one final affidavit were allowed to be tendered, detailing a post to X Mr Latham made during the NCAT proceedings on Tuesday. Mr Latham in reply claimed Mr Greenwich thought 'anyone disagreeing with him is hurtful'. '(Mr Greenwich) has a very unusual understanding of democracy, he thinks that anyone disagreeing with him is hurtful,' Mr Latham fired from the witness box. He claimed he'd been subjected to 'misrepresentations' and 'wilful, malicious lies' about him for two and a half years, arguing there came a point when MPs were entitled to respond. A tense exchange erupted between the parties over whether the cost of obtaining a transcript should be split, with Mr Latham instructing Ms Burrows that Mr Greenwich's team should foot the cost. 'If he chooses not to buy one for himself that's his issue … we won't be sharing,' Ms Bindon replied, which Ms Burrows branded a 'mean-spirited' move. The hearing came to a close shortly after, with the parties due to put forth written submissions in October. Mr Latham's evidence comes just a day after Mr Greenwich claimed the former NSW One Nation leader had an 'abusive obsession' with him. Ms Bindon earlier argued Mr Latham's comments had incited hatred, contempt or severe ridicule, and that sexual harassment allegations related to unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature where a reasonable person would have anticipated it to cause humiliation or intimidation. It was not to do with unwanted sexual advances.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Mark Latham has an ‘abusive obsession with me', NSW MP Alex Greenwich tells tribunal
A controversial politician's 'abusive obsession' with a fellow MP has exposed him to ongoing hatred and ridicule, a tribunal has been told. NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich continued his legal fight against controversial former federal Labor leader Mark Latham on Tuesday, having sued him for homosexual vilification and workplace harassment. The case relates to a sexually explicit tweet the Federal Court has previously ruled as defamatory and subsequent media appearances made by Latham, who sits as an independent in the state parliament. In a passionate address, Greenwich said the tweet had sought to define him as a 'disgusting sexual act' and a threat to children. '(He has) an abusive obsession with me, it began with that tweet and it has not stopped,' he told the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday. 'I have never been so diminished, demeaned, dehumanised by someone ... this was the first time in my political career I'd been so fundamentally attacked for who I am and my sexuality.' Greenwich added his electorate office had been 'inundated' with abuse after Mr Latham's tweet and subsequent interviews. 'I have as an openly gay MP ... of course at times received homophobic abuse (but) I have never been defined by someone as a disgusting sex act,' he said. Latham repeatedly interjected from the public gallery, drawing a sharp warning from senior tribunal member Mandy Tibbey. Greenwich, who is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQI community, received $140,000 in damages in a Federal Court suit against Mr Latham in 2024. He sued the former NSW One Nation leader in the Federal Court over the tweet, which was sent days after the state election and described a sex act in explicit terms. It came in response to a post quoting Greenwich describing him as a 'disgusting human being'. The online sparring match between the two politicians followed violent protests outside a church in Sydney's southwest, where Latham was giving a pre-election speech in March 2023. About 250 mostly male counter-protesters violently attacked police and 15 LGBTQI protesters who had set themselves up outside the Belfield church. Greenwich's lawyer Prue Bindon said recent tweets from the former Labor leader had subjected her client to 'further hatred and ridicule ... from members of the public'. After his lawyer objected to the tweets being formally tendered as evidence, Latham loudly complained about 'another whinge-athon from the European prince', a reference to Mr Greenwich's links to Georgian nobility. Latham has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But a recent attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him failed after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The independent MP spent the hearing live-tweeting proceedings, including defending his postings as true. 'No court or tribunal should be used for restricting the legal, authentic freedom of speech of an elected member of parliament,' he wrote.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
MP tells tribunal Mark Latham's comments about him part of 'abusive obsession'
Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has told a tribunal Mark Latham has an "abusive obsession" with him which began with a graphic tweet and involves using "tools to the workplace" to continue attacks. In a case before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), Mr Greenwich alleges four public statements by the former One Nation state leader constituted unlawful homosexual vilification and sexual harassment in the workplace. They include a March 2023 tweet that was previously at the centre of a successful defamation case in the Federal Court, which resulted in Mr Greenwich being awarded $140,000. Mr Greenwich, an openly gay MP, told the tribunal on Tuesday he had been in public life for some 20 years but had never before been "diminished, demeaned [and] dehumanised" by someone to such an extent. "This was the first time in my political career where I have been so fundamentally attacked for who I am, for my sexuality, based on their vile thoughts about me," he said under cross-examination by Mr Latham's lawyer. He told the tribunal the attacks extended to a series of radio interviews, social media posts, interactions Mr Latham engaged in with his followers — and even a recent podcast. "This is a man who has an abusive obsession with me," Mr Greenwich said. He said it began with the tweet and had not stopped. From the public gallery of the small tribunal room, Mr Latham fired back: "It began with you." Mr Latham's tweet was in response to comments Mr Greenwich had provided to a journalist concerning violence against LGBTQIA+ protesters outside a church in Sydney's west, where Mr Latham was scheduled to speak. He referred to Mr Latham as a "disgusting human being". Posting on Twitter, now X, Mr Latham responded with: "Disgusting How does that compare with …" before describing sexual activity in graphic terms. Mr Latham's lawyer, Zali Burrows, suggested Mr Greenwich had delivered a "prepared speech" in his answers and asked for examples of Mr Latham's attacks. Mr Greenwich detailed "an ongoing belittling of me based on my sexuality", including tweets as recent as Tuesday, and described how it had prompted an "avalanche of hate" directed at him. "I wish I didn't have to be here today, but I have to be here because your client keeps on abusing me, keeps on attacking me, in a workplace we share." Mr Latham, who denies breaching the state's Anti-Discrimination Act, is expected to give evidence later on Tuesday.
News.com.au
22-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Latham hears of tweet fallout via video link
Mark Latham had to beam into a courtroom via videolink because of a knee injury as a tribunal was told fellow MP Alex Greenwich's office received a 'barrage' of hateful and threatening messages in the wake of a graphic tweet by the ex-Labor leader. The former Labor leader has faced days of controversy following allegations he abused his former partner, Nathalie Matthews, and sent her sexual messages from the parliament chamber. The member of the NSW upper house has strenuously denied Ms Matthews' allegations, which are untested and contained in an application for an apprehended violence order (AVO) filed in the local court. He not been charged with any criminal offence. Mr Latham's injury was revealed in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday. Greenwich, an independent Sydney MP, has brought NCAT proceedings against the maverick MP, alleging he was subjected to homosexual vilification and workplace sexual harassment over a graphic tweet by Mr Latham. Mr Latham, through his solicitor Zali Burrows, is contesting the case. Mr Latham did not appear before the tribunal in Sydney on Tuesday, with Ms Burrows telling the court that he had a fractured knee and could not travel. Instead he beamed into the courtroom via video link. The NCAT case is centred on a tweet by Latham, as well as comments made by the former One Nation MP in newspaper and radio interviews. The same tweet was the subject of Federal Court defamation proceedings in which Latham was ordered to pay $140,000 to Greenwich. Federal Court Justice David O'Callaghan ruled in favour of Greenwich during the defamation proceedings, finding that the tweet conveyed the meaning that Greenwich 'engaged in disgusting sexual activities' and that it was defamatory. He also rejected Latham's defence of honest opinion and qualified common law privilege. Greenwich has now launched NCAT proceedings against Latham and his counsel has argued that each of the statements amounted to unlawful homosexual vilification and sexual harassment and that Latham breached the Anti-Discrimination Act. Alexander Graham, who works in Mr Greenwich's office as an electorate officer, told the tribunal the office was inundated with messages in the wake of the Latham tweet. Under cross examination from Ms Burrows, he was asked if Greenwich's office received negative communications at other times, including during the anti-abortion bill debate. Mr Graham said while Greenwich's office did receive letters and emails from people disagreeing with the amendments there wasn't anything 'directly disparaging of Alex'. He told the court the only time he could recall police being called was as a result of the fallout from the Latham tweet. The tribunal heard that some of the abusive calls came from private numbers. 'The abusive phone calls from private numbers, you cannot ascertain they were from genuine haters,' Ms Burrows asked. Greenwich's barrister Prue Bindon objected to the question. Mr Graham later told the tribunal the office received a 'barrage' of hateful letters, emails and phone calls. He said some were written with letters which had been cut from magazines and newspapers. 'There were ones that directly threatened Alex … talking about throwing homosexuals off the bluff,' Mr Graham said. He described some of the communications as 'bizarre' and 'threatening' and that Greenwich's staff began using gloves to open mail. Ms Bindon previously told the tribunal the elements of homophobic vilification alleged in the case hinge on the public act, claiming Latham's comments had incited hatred, contempt or severe ridicule. She said the sexual harassment allegations were in relation to unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances where a reasonable person would've anticipated it to cause humiliation or intimidation. Ms Bindon also previously said she anticipated the defence would claim Greenwich's reputation was to some extent not damaged. The matter will return to court next month. The hearing followed Labor deciding to keep his portrait in the Labor's Parliament House party room with a note saying he was 'banned for life' from the party in 2017.
ABC News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Mark Latham's comments about Sydney MP were unlawful homosexual vilification, sexual harassment, court told
Four public statements by former One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham about Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich allegedly constituted unlawful homosexual vilification and sexual harassment in the workplace, a tribunal has heard. A case initiated by Mr Greenwich in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) involves the same graphic tweet previously at the centre of successful defamation proceedings against Mr Latham in the Federal Court. It was made in March 2023 after Mr Greenwich was quoted in the media about violence against LGBT protesters outside a church in Sydney's west, where Mr Latham was scheduled to speak. Mr Greenwich referred to Mr Latham as a "disgusting human being" and in reply, Mr Latham took to Twitter, now X, to say: "Disgusting How does that compare with …" before describing sexual activity in graphic terms. The NCAT case alleges the post breached the state's Anti-Discrimination Act, as did comments Mr Latham made in The Daily Telegraph newspaper, on a radio show and in a different tweet as he later replied to another MP. Mr Greenwich's counsel, Prue Bindon, told the tribunal each of the statements constituted both unlawful homosexual vilification and sexual harassment. In an opening address, she said Mr Greenwich, an openly gay MP who has held his seat for over 12 years, is a vocal advocate for the LGBT community. Ms Bindon said the "crude, explicit language" of the statements to describe the presumed sexual acts of Mr Greenwich was "designed to promote severe disgust or strong aversion". The tribunal heard that Mr Greenwich is not required to show the statements did incite an ordinary member of the audience, but the evidence showed there were "numerous people" who felt the need to express themselves publicly and to Mr Greenwich's office. As part of his defence, Mr Latham has argued against the evidence of "incitement" by suggesting there was an independent factor — existing attitudes of members of the public towards Mr Greenwich and his politics. He's also flagged an application to dismiss the case based on a jurisdictional argument, which is yet to be fully explained before the tribunal. Ms Bindon said a "significant portion" of the audience for each statement would likely have shared Mr Latham's views, including views on the LGBT community. "The fact Mr Latham is a high-profile politician gave the four statements legitimacy and credence to encourage and galvanise those people who already share the emotions to feel free and justified in expressing them," Ms Bindon said. "It matters not that the ordinary member of the audience may already be inclined to have prejudices or negative views towards homosexual men. Earlier, Mr Latham's lawyer, Zali Burrows, attempted to have senior member Mandy Tibbey recuse herself from hearing the matter on the grounds of apprehended bias. Mr Latham stepped into the witness box on that application, telling the tribunal much of the case concerns "identity politics" which is a "keenly contested aspect of modern politics". He highlighted the 2024 Sharwood Lecuture by Ms Tibbey, which he alleged may create an apprehension of bias because of a perception the senior member was an advocate for identity politics "like Mr Greenwich". But Ms Bindon said the lecture didn't satisfy the test for apprehended bias, given its contents included "neutral discussion" of the way churches have dealt with discrimination law, among other topics of little relevance to the issues in the case. Ms Tibbey declined the recusal application. The defamation proceedings resulted in Mr Latham being ordered to pay $140,000 for non-economic loss and aggravated damages, and substantial costs. Mr Greenwich is expected to give evidence in the tribunal on Wednesday.
