Labor to keep Latham portrait with note condemning his behaviour

The official photo of former federal opposition leader Mark Latham, recognising him as an ex-Labor leader, will have a small note added to it condemning his behaviour following calls to have it removed from Parliament House in Canberra.

Latham has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

Following calls to have his portrait removed from the Labor party room in Canberra, where it sits among all the party’s leaders, caucus chair Sharon Claydon confirmed it will not be taken down.

Instead, a plaque will be added with a note which reads: “In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life.

“His actions do not accord with Labor values and failed to meet the standards we expect and demand.”

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has previously questioned why Latham’s portrait would remain in the caucus room following the allegations levelled against him last week.

“I’m sure that there are plenty of people scratching their heads about his portrait being up in the caucus room and giving consideration to whether it’s appropriate or not,” Plibersek said last week.

“I’ve been on the record about that for a long time...This man has attacked Rosie Batty, told her to grieve in private,” Jackson said last week.

“This man is well known, on the record, multiple times, as a bigot.

“He’s one of the biggest bigots in the state.”

“I’ve broken no law,” he said. ”This has gone right down the rabbit hole.”

Latham also addressed his relationship with his former partner Nathalie Matthews, who has accused him of domestic abuse. 

Matthews is seeking a private apprehended violence order against her ex, alleging she faced emotional and physical abuse.

Latham has denied the allegations.

“It’s nonsense, complete nonsense,” he said.

“The police did not involve themselves in the AVO matter, and now Matthews is attacking them for, in effect, not protecting her from herself.”

Matthews’ AVO application will be heard in two weeks.