‘Grossly inappropriate’: Latham’s disparaging messages about colleagues revealed

In messages to his former partner, Mark Latham criticised the appearance of his colleagues and even claimed to pinch a female MP on the bottom.

Nathalie May Matthews and Mark Latham. Picture: Instagram

State MP Mark Latham took photos of female colleagues without their knowledge, criticised their appearance, and claimed to have pinched another MP on the bottom, and in explosive messages to his then partner, seen by The Daily Telegraph.

The photos are among the multiple instances where Mr Latham made disparaging and sexually charged comments to Nathalie Matthews about female parliamentarians.

It comes as Labor called on the Coalition to cut ties with Mr Latham in a bid to change the definition of sexual harassment at work.

Acting Opposition Leader Damien Tudehope and Mr Latham have jointly put forward amendments which would change the meaning of “sexual harassment” in the workplace.

The Coalition is supporting Mr Latham’s proposed definition of sexual harassment despite the MP admitting to sending explicit messages in the chamber, and facing sexual abuse allegations which he denies.

Pictured is Mark Latham in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

In one Instagram message sent to Ms Matthews, Mr Latham shared a photo of Greens MP Abigail Boyd in the parliamentary chamber, taken without her knowledge, and commented on his “view”.

He then shared a photo of Liberal Susan Carter taken from behind, saying “then it gets worse .... Grandma”.

In another message, he said Miranda MP Eleni Petinos “looks pregnant”.

“I pinched her bum lightly and she smiled!!” he said.

Ms Petinos said the incident never happened, and was “an absolute fantasy”.

“That is not in the realms of possibility,” she said.

“Mark’s attitude towards his colleagues is disgraceful - instead of showing respect he chooses to objectify and degrade.

“It’s just grossly inappropriate - we don’t walk around to be objectified everyday.”

Screen grab of a video feed from Question Time in the NSW Parliament of Mark Latham texting or holding his phone at 11:35am on the 20th of February, 2025. Picture: Supplied

The Telegraph contacted Mr Latham for comment about the photos.

On social media site X, he said the message about Ms Petinos was an “in-joke”.

“(Ms) Matthews had a particular interest/amusement in the weight gain of a female Liberal MP she knew and loved feedback from me about her,” he said.

He said that NSW Parliament has “strict complaints procedures about inappropriate contact with women,” and he had “never been contacted to respond to any complaint” during six years in office.

When contacted, Ms Carter said that she hoped MPs “are all judged by what we say and what we do, not how we look on any particular day”.

“This is what all men and all women want in any workplace,” she said.

Mark Latham referred to Liberal Susan Carter as “grandma”. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

In separate WhatsApp messages, Mr Latham also referred to Ms Boyd wearing f*k me boots, before he and Ms Matthews discussed the prospect of a threesome with the MP.

Ms Boyd declined to comment.

Mr Latham also joked about a “weird fruit bowl” on a table in his parliamentary office. “We were very fruity,” he joked, with an eggplant emoji.

Alongside a photo of the table, Mr Latham wrote “I’m planning to take this table to new office. More use with my hot wife.”

It is also understood that there is a video of a sex act filmed in Mr Latham’s office, that formed part of Ms Matthews’ allegations she took to police before they decided not to pursue an apprehended violence order.

On X, Mr Latham said questions about sexual activity on his office desk had “no suggestion of any law or rule (being) broken”.

Nathalie May Matthews and Mark Latham. Picture: Instagram

When parliament returns next month, the Coalition is set to side with Mr Latham in an attempt to change the definition of sexual assault at work, as part of proposed changes to the workplace compensation scheme.

Under the amendments, inappropriate behaviour would only be deemed “sexual harassment” if the perpetrator “knows, or should reasonably know” that their actions are “unwelcome”.

The government’s legislation describes any unwanted sexual conduct as sexual harassment, even if the alleged perpetrator is unaware the conduct is inappropriate.

Mr Tudehope on Wednesday said that Mr Latham’s proposed definition of sexual harassment has “merit”, despite declaring the MP had engaged in “abhorrent” behaviour of sexting at work.

“The opposition will continue to deal with anyone who puts forward policy proposals ... on the basis of the merit of the policy position.”

“When Mr Latham wants to articulate policy provisions ... for what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace that should be considered on its merits,“ he said.

But Premier Chris Minns called for the Coalition to cut ties with the rogue MP, accusing the Liberals of “hand(ing) over policy and strategy” to Mr Latham.

“I think that there’s ample evidence that this is not someone that you should get into bed with,” Mr Minns said.

“To subcontract (policies) out to Mark Latham, as they’ve done in relation to these bills, is ridiculous.

“The string that’s linking Latham and Tudehope should be cut,” he told the Telegraph.

Mr Latham yesterday defended his parliamentary sexting by saying he was “guilty” of “being human … and male”.

He told 2SM host Chris Smith that Ms Matthews’ allegations against him are “preposterous”.

“I guess what voters need to know is, do you abuse women?” Mr Smith asked.

“Oh, absolutely not. That’s ridiculous. Absolutely not. That’s just preposterous,” Mr Latham replied.