Mark Latham and a very public problem

MARK Latham has one very big problem. He cannot deal with the concept that, sometimes, he is wrong.

Mark Latham

MARK Latham has one very big problem. He cannot deal with the concept that, sometimes, he is wrong. He was wrong when he confronted swimming teacher Bev Waugh at Camden Pool in December in a manner Mrs Waugh found rude and intimidating.

He is wrong to complain that a report of the incident in The Sunday Telegraph was a breach of his privacy -- and he was wrong when he complained to the Press Council and the Education Department that he is a victim of media intrusion. No, Mr Latham, you are not just "publicly recognisable". You are a public figure.

Just eight years ago, Mr Latham sought to be prime minister. After career highlights including the attempt to intimidate John Howard with a vice-like handshake, allegedly breaking a taxi-driver's arm and maliciously damaging a news photographer's camera, Mr Latham, in the 2010 election campaign, angrily confronted Julia Gillard. He lives, in part, on a parliamentary pension. He is a commentator in various media, specialising in bombast and bluntness. It's all about being the straight-talking voice of the people.

So, when a man of this stature insults the mother of two of Australia's greatest sportsmen, Steve and Mark Waugh, at a public pool, it is a legitimate story.

The Sunday Telegraph approached Mrs Waugh to comment, and also gave Mr Latham an opportunity to explain. He declined.

Mrs Waugh, a respected, long-serving teacher of children, said she was taken aback by the confrontation and wished she had been capable of standing up to him at the time.

Now, Mr Latham is lashing out in the most public way he can, with fresh allegations against journalists, swim-school staff and Mrs Waugh herself.

In an article in The Spectator magazine, published on December 31, Mr Latham produced a purported transcript of his poolside conversation, in which he claims to have spoken "calmly and methodically".

It is quite extraordinary to publish a purported transcript of a conversation that was not recorded either with audio equipment or a notepad.

Mr Latham has not, furthermore, given Mrs Waugh the right of reply to the allegation he makes in the transcript, that she claimed the Education Department booked in too many children.

Mr Latham has always struggled when confronted with his own behaviour, feigning shock that anyone would be insulted or offended by his harsh words, and surprise that his physical presence could intimidate.

Privacy is not Mr Latham's problem, it never has been. It's civility, perspective, and respect for others.

His attempt to portray himself as a victim, again, this time against hard-working teachers as well as the media, is completely disingenuous.

Each year, Australia's banks make $1.4 billion in extra profit at the expense of credit-card holders.

Banks take advantage of the fact most public scrutiny focuses on their mortgage interest-rate decisions by sneaking under the radar with unjustifiably high card rates. The banks refuse to lower card rates as the Reserve Bank's official rate falls, even though they eagerly raise rates whenever they have the chance.

The worst part is that Australians who can't pay off their balance in full each month pay the most in additional interest, about $400 per year.

That money is siphoned out of the economy directly into the banks' coffers, further adding to the cost-of-living pain. Is it any wonder retailers struggle to stay afloat?

Responsibility for election comment is taken by the editor, Neil Breen, 2 Holt St, Surry Hills 2010