Sky News Australia has terminated the contract of former Labor Party leader Mark Latham following a series of offensive comments. The broadcaster's CEO, Angelos Frangopoulos, announced the immediate dismissal via Twitter, stating that while the network supports strong opinions, it prides itself on civil and respectful discourse.
Latham's remarks included questioning a 15-year-old boy's sexuality after the teenager read a comment about gender issues in a school video. Latham said: 'I thought he was gay. Well, yes, who wouldn't think that?' The comments drew condemnation from senior politicians, including Education Minister Simon Birmingham and Labor leader Bill Shorten, who called Latham a 'sad bully'.
He also attacked fellow presenters, describing US-born Sky News host Kristina Keneally as a 'Yankee sheila', prompting a formal complaint. Additionally, he referred to ABC presenter Wendy Harmer, who was born with a cleft lip and palate, as a 'female with a disability' and a 'proven commercial failure', leading to a legal demand for an apology.
Latham has a history of controversial statements. In 2015, he left his column at the Australian Financial Review after criticising domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty and several female journalists on Twitter. During the 2013 federal election, he made sexist comments about Liberal candidate Fiona Scott, questioning her 'sex appeal'.
Latham led the Labor Party from 2003 to 2005, losing the 2004 election. He later published a memoir, The Latham Diaries, criticising Australian political life.
