New South Wales MP Mark Latham has strongly denied allegations of abuse and manipulation made by his former partner, Nathalie Matthews, in court documents filed in support of an application for a domestic violence order. The claims were reported by The Australian on Monday night, with Matthews reportedly detailing a “sustained pattern” of emotional, psychological and financial abuse.
In a statement posted on X late Monday, Latham described the allegations as “absolute rubbish” and “comical and ridiculous”, adding that he had not yet been served with any order. He said he possessed “scores of documents” to defend himself against the claims.
Matthews, who runs a logistics company in Dubai, Sydney and Perth, is seeking an interim order preventing Latham from coming within 100 metres of her, and a final two-year order. The matter is listed for mention at the Downing Centre local court on 30 July. Guardian Australia has not verified the claims, which will be contested in court.
Labor’s upper house leader, Penny Sharpe, commented on Tuesday that the allegations raised questions about other parties’ continued association with Latham. She noted that the Liberals and Greens have worked closely with him in the upper house and should reconsider. Sharpe also plans to move motions in August to refer Latham to the privileges committee over his behaviour and to question his overall conduct.
Latham has faced previous criticism, including from Premier Chris Minns, after using parliamentary privilege to reveal confidential medical records of MP Alex Greenwich, who won a defamation payout over a homophobic tweet by Latham. Minns called Latham a “shameful bigot” and accused him of ignoring antisemitic attacks.
