Mark Latham defends Western values and Israel Folau in parliament

Mark Latham has never shied away from controversy and in his maiden speech to NSW parliament he didn’t hold back.

One Nation recruit Mark Latham has used his first speech to NSW parliament to rail against “leftist elites” and defend Christians including outspoken rugby star Israel Folau.

The former federal Labor leader, who was elected to the NSW upper house in the March state election, also backed former state Labor leader Luke Foley’s use of the phrase “white flight” in 2018.

Mr Latham on Wednesday said supporters of Western civilisation were in the fight of their lives.

“No surrender in trying to take back our country,” Mr Latham told the parliament.

“That … is why I’m here and what I’m fighting for.” Mr Latham said Australian political discourse around Western civilisation was beginning to mimic a Monty Python movie.

“It’s like a scene from Life of Brian, a case of ‘What has Western civilisation done for us?’” he said.

“Only advanced healthcare and education, architecture, engineering, information technology, free speech and the rule of law.”

The 58-year-old also criticised the potential sacking of rugby union star Folau for his homophobic Instagram Post, in which Folau targeted sinners.

The 30-year-old devout Christian took to Instagram to proclaim “hell awaits” for “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators”.

While Folau may yet be spared the sack, termination of his contract is now a possibility after he was found guilty of a high level breach of his $4 million Rugby Australia contract.

“I stand with Israel Folau,” the NSW One Nation leader told parliament.

“In his own private time away from his job playing football, he’s a preacher at his community church and naturally, he quotes the Bible.

“How did our state and our nation ever come to this? Those claiming outrage have fabricated their position solely for the purpose of censorship. This is not an argument about diversity. “Australians shouldn’t have to fear being sacked for stating their religious beliefs.

“No Australian should be fearful of proclaiming four of the most glorious words of our civilisation: I am a Christian.”

Mr Latham said since he’d had children he’d seen what had become of the NSW school system and that had motivated him to enter state politics.

One Nation’s Mark Latham has jumped to the defence of Israel Folau.

The One Nation MP spoke for more than 47 minutes, calling for limits on immigration, an end to identity politics, an overhaul of the state’s education system and the introduction of nuclear power and greater investment in coal-fired power.

He is one of two One Nation MPs elected to the upper house who hold the balance of power with nine other crossbenchers.

Controversial Sydney shock jock Alan Jones was in the gallery to watch Mr Latham’s speech after he had earlier sympathised with Folau.

Jones said the “Orwellian treatment” of the rugby icon, combined with various recent attacks on politicians, painted a grim picture of the state of Australia.

“The Australia that our Anzacs fought for seems to be disappearing before our very eyes,” Jones said. “It prompts you to wonder what kind of society we’re living in.

“Nothing wrong with Israel, it’s the society and those who prosecute him who are sick.

“But the cancer won’t kill us, it’s the cancer that will be removed, not Israel. The Australian people won’t accept this.

“This is not the Australia our veterans fought for and we’re going to have to take our country back by argument and by the democratic and peaceful process — not by hate and revenge or vilification and intimidation.”

—With AAP