Mark Latham refused access to full Alex Greenwich psychology report

7 hours ago 5

Mark Latham has lost a bid to gain access to an unredacted version of a psychology report about independent MP Alex Greenwich, who is suing the former One Nation MP for alleged homosexual vilification and workplace harassment.

The failed application follows Latham’s use of parliamentary privilege last month to reveal confidential medical information about Greenwich, which led to Premier Chris Minns calling the former federal Labor leader one of the state’s most “shameful bigots”.

Mark Latham speaking to media on Saturday.

The NCAT hearing concerns four statements by Latham, including a graphic, sexual tweet he posted online in 2023, which the Federal Court found defamed Greenwich.

On Tuesday morning, Latham’s lawyer, Zali Burrows, argued there was no reason Latham should not be able to see the whole contents of the report into Greenwich’s mental health, arguing that the redactions in the current version were “a bit over the top”.

Burrows said hearing evidence from the psychologist in person, before any finding against Latham, risked prejudicing the hearing and was only relevant to potential damages. She also attacked the integrity of the report itself.

“The report really does go to advocacy as opposed to evidence,” Burrows said. “It goes to advocacy for the applicant in this matter.”

Independent MP Alex Greenwich is suing fellow parliamentarian Mark Latham for alleged homosexual vilification and sexual harassment.

Greenwich’s barrister, Prue Bindon, did not oppose the release of a redacted report to Latham but sought to provide the full version to the tribunal members, arguing they should see the detailed reasons for the psychologist’s diagnosis.

However, senior tribunal member Mandy Tibbey ruled only the redacted version would be admitted into evidence, out of concern for fairness to Latham. Tibbey agreed to delay the psychologist’s evidence to give Latham a chance to read the report.

Latham did not appear in person due to a fractured knee but dialled in remotely for a period before excusing himself. Greenwich did not appear as he was overseas.

Greenwich’s electorate officer Annie McCall gave evidence that Latham’s 2023 tweet, which the Herald chooses not to repeat, unleashed a wave of negative correspondence.

“It was everything that stemmed from that tweet that caused the tsunami of complaints,” McCall said.

Another electorate officer, Alexander Graham, testified about using gloves when opening letters to avoid potential contamination and to preserve fingerprints for possible investigation.

Last year, the Federal Court found Latham had defamed Greenwich with the tweet, exposing him to a torrent of abuse and threatening messages.

Latham was ordered to pay $140,000 in damages and also Greenwich’s legal costs on the “normal basis”, which typically means about 70 per cent.

Latham is due to face NSW Local Court next week to contest an apprehended violence order application by his former partner Nathalie Matthews.

Matthews alleges Latham coerced her into degrading sex acts, psychologically manipulated her and drove his car at her, resulting in a bruise. Latham emphatically denies the allegations.