Mark Latham ordered to pay $140k over defamatory tweet about MP
An explicit tweet sent by then-NSW One Nation head Mark Latham has been ruled defamatory, with the Federal Court ordering he pay $140,000 in damages.
The tweet stemmed from a heated online argument with independent state MP Alex Greenwich and conveyed the meaning that he "engages in disgusting sexual activities", the court was told.
Greenwich, who is gay and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQI issues, sued Latham over the tweet sent in March 2023, days after the state election.
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Former NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham leaves court during a five-day defamation case brought against him by Sydney MP Alex Greenwich. Dominic Lorrimer
Today, the court ordered Latham pay Greenwich $100,000 in damages for non-economic loss and a further $40,000 in aggravated damages.
The former One Nation state leader's tweet described a sex act in explicit terms and was in response to a post quoting Greenwich describing him as a "disgusting human being".
The independent Sydney MP also claimed he was defamed by comments made by Latham to the Daily Telegraph in April 2023.
Justice David O'Callaghan ruled the comments made to the Daily Telegraph were not defamatory.
During a two-day trial in June, the judge heard the post unleashed a torrent of abuse on Greenwich by homophobes while also lowering his standing with those sympathetic to him.
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Mark Latham (right). Dominic Lorrimer
In his defence, Latham claimed the post was his honest opinion and a response to provocation started by Greenwich.
He has admitted the tweet was crass, offensive and vulgar but denied it defamed the independent MP or ruined his reputation.
The graphic post was widely criticised by across the political spectrum, including by One Nation federal leader Pauline Hanson.
The online sparring match between the two politicians followed violent protests outside a church in Sydney's south-west, 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.
The matter will return to court on September 25 for final orders.
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