Mark Latham’s spray may be his last on Triple M after backlash over domestic violence comments

RADIO station Triple M has all but ruled out using controversial commentator Mark Latham on their network in the future.

Former Labor leader Mark Latham appears on TV show 'Paul Murray Live' at Foxtel Studios in North Ryde, Sydney.

RADIO station Triple M has all but ruled out using controversial commentator Mark Latham on their network in the future.

Southern Cross Austereo executives today distanced themselves from the ex-Labor politician, who caused a furore when he claimed on his first podcast, approved and posted by the station, that domestic violence was a “coping mechanism” for perpetrators.

“Blokes have lost their self-esteem, they’re welfare dependent, they’ve got other troubles, drugs, alcohol in their life,” he said, on the podcast titled “Lathamland”.

“It’s that loss of self-esteem where I think they use the domestic violence as a coping mechanism to get over all the other crap they’ve got in their lives.

“Demonising men and making them feel worse about themselves isn’t going to solve the problem.”

He also used the platform to attack Australian of the Year Rosie Batty and claimed she was part of a feminist group using domestic violence for political gain.

“A lot of Australians are asking how did (Batty’s) tragedy where a lunatic drugged-out father sadly maliciously killed his own son, how’s that morphed into a generalised campaign against all Australian men?” he said.

Triple M, a media partner of the White Ribbon foundation, today issued a response following widespread public backlash.

Australian of the Year Rosie Batty launching White Ribbon week last year.

When The Saturday Telegraph asked Network head Mike Fitzpatrick whether he would use Latham, 54 again on the program he said: “At this stage it is a one off.”

“Triple M stands side by side with White Ribbon and will continue to push conversations about domestic violence no matter how uncomfortable.

“We call for all men to stand up and hold those who commit acts of violence against women and children to account.”

SCA, who branded the former politician as a “loose cannon” in their promo, listened to and produced the hour long podcast before it went to air.

White Ribbon Australia chair, John Rosewarne also voiced his concern surrounding the 20 minute long podcast posted to the radio network’s website.

“Mark Latham’s views on domestic violence, as aired by Triple M, show his lack of understanding and knowledge of this complex issue, including its prevalence, causes and community response,” Mr Roswarne wrote on Twitter.

“Domestic violence is a complex social issue. In understanding and preventing this violence it is vital to involve men, which is why White Ribbon Australia works with organisations such as Triple M that have a strong male following.”

The former politician, who was leader of the Australian Labor Party from 2003 to 2005, is no stranger to controversy and recently had a gig on Karl Stefanovic’s The Verdict.

When asked what he would do next if SCA were to pull his gig, he said: “I have other irons in the fire ... I’ve got opinions and facts and figures that need to be aired.

“I will be doing that through television, print and radio format.”