Mark Latham Ordered to Pay $140,000 to Alex Greenwich

Mark Latham, the former leader of One Nation in New South Wales, has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay $140,000 in damages to independent MP Alex Greenwich for a defamatory tweet. The court ruled that Latham's comments, which suggested Greenwich engages in 'disgusting sexual activities', were harmful and led to a barrage of homophobic abuse directed at Greenwich. The tweet was sent in March 2023 during a heated exchange following protests against Latham’s speech, where Greenwich criticized Latham's treatment of LGBTQI protesters. Justice David O'Callaghan awarded $100,000 for non-economic damages and $40,000 for aggravated damages, while ruling that comments made by Latham to the Daily Telegraph were not defamatory. Latham admitted the tweet was vulgar but claimed it was a reaction to provocation and did not harm Greenwich's reputation. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, even from within Latham's own party, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding LGBTQI rights in Australia.