New South Wales independent MP Mark Latham has been accused of taking covert photographs of female colleagues in the upper house and sharing them with disparaging comments. The allegations, reported in the Daily Telegraph, involve messages sent to his former partner Nathalie Matthews.
In one message, Latham allegedly commented on Liberal MP Eleni Petinos, saying she “looks pregnant” and that he “pinched her bum lightly and she smiled!!” In another, he reportedly shared a photo of Greens MP Abigail Boyd in the parliamentary chamber, captioning it “this is the view I have. Serving the people of NSW. I am a loyal servant.”
Housing Minister Rose Jackson condemned Latham, calling him a “pig” and a “bigot”. Premier Chris Minns described the remarks as “troubling”, stating that in any other workplace Latham would be sacked, but noted parliament is not a typical workplace. He urged the parliamentary privileges committee to investigate and consider sanctions.
Petinos denied the alleged incident, calling it “an absolute fantasy”. Latham told Guardian Australia he had broken no law or standing order, claiming the photos were private and that similar behaviour occurs in every workplace.
Labor’s leader in the legislative council, Penny Sharpe, has lodged motions regarding Latham’s behaviour. Latham is also facing a private apprehended violence order from his ex-partner, who alleges emotional, physical, and financial abuse, which he denies.
