‘This act of spite simply brings it forward’: Mark Latham quits Australian Turf Club

Independent state MP Mark Latham has announced his resignation from the ATC, saying the club’s “leadership” wanted him gone.

Mark Latham arrives at Randwick racecourse last week to vote on the Rosehill sale proposal. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Independent state MP Mark Latham has resigned from the Australian Turf Club, claiming he quit because the “leadership” was trying to kick him out.

Mr Latham was a vocal opponent of the $5bn sale of Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, which was narrowly voted down by members last week.

In a post on X on Monday night, Mr Latham said the ATC leadership “has tried to kick me out as a club member for commenting on the Rosehill sale calamity and failed vote” last week.

Mr Latham posted the response he claimed to have sent to ATC chief executive Matt Galanos, in which he also attacked chairman Peter McGauran and head of corporate affairs Steve McMahon.

“You’ve been totally humiliated and if the three of you had any honour you would have fallen on your sword a week ago,” he wrote.

“In all honesty, it’s not much of a club for the money we pay.

“Lousy customer service, incompetent management and a complete lack of collegiality.”

Mr Latham asked that the response be taken as his resignation from the ATC.

“I would not have renewed my membership anyway, so this act of spite simply brings it forward,” he wrote.

In a statement, the ATC said it had been “investigating a possible breach of the conditions by which Mark Latham agreed to abide in order to retain his membership”.

“Tonight, Mr Latham voluntarily resigned his membership by email to the club and on social media before the ATC had concluded its investigation,” the ATC said.
Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as ‘This act of spite simply brings it forward’: Mark Latham quits Australian Turf Club