NSW Minister Condemns Mark Latham as Unfit for Workplace Standards

Download IPFS

New South Wales (NSW) Housing Minister Rose Jackson branded independent Member of Parliament (MP) Mark Latham a “pig” on July 17, 2025, asserting he would be sacked from any typical workplace for his alleged misconduct. The controversy, involving claims of inappropriate behavior toward female colleagues, has sparked calls for accountability. This article examines the allegations, Latham’s response, and the broader implications for parliamentary conduct.

Jackson’s scathing remarks followed reports that Latham, a former federal Labor leader turned independent, allegedly took covert photos of female MPs in the NSW Legislative Council and sent derogatory messages about them to his former partner, Nathalie Matthews. “It’s unacceptable to think someone in a workplace can photograph you and share derogatory comments,” Jackson told reporters, as quoted by 9News. The accusations, detailed in The Daily Telegraph, also include claims of Latham filming sexual acts in his parliamentary office, deemed inappropriate though not illegal. Matthews, pursuing an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), alleged a pattern of emotional, physical, and financial abuse, which Latham vehemently denies, per ABC News.

NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed Jackson’s concerns, labeling Latham’s actions “troubling” and suggesting they breach parliamentary rules. “In any other workplace, he’d be out the door tomorrow,” Minns said, urging the Privileges Committee to investigate, per The Guardian. Latham, however, dismissed the allegations, claiming no laws or standing orders were broken and accusing critics of a “personal or political campaign” against him, as stated on X. His history of controversy, including a 2023 homophobic tweet against MP Alex Greenwich costing him $140,000 in a defamation suit, fuels the outcry.

The scandal highlights a troubling culture in Australian politics, where elected officials face less immediate accountability than private sector employees. Latham’s continued presence in parliament, despite his term lasting until 2031, underscores the challenges of enforcing standards in a system where MPs are voter-elected. This incident demands robust reforms to ensure workplaces, even in politics, uphold dignity and respect, challenging leaders to act decisively.