News

Mark Latham’s ex drops claims of abuse

Trendiny

Published on

May 20, 2026

Firebrand MP Mark Latham has avoided airing dirty laundry court after his ex-partner abandoned her bid for a violence arrest warrant over claims of abuse.

Nathalie Matthews, 38, had alleged Latham subjected her to sustained emotional and physical abuse, but the court application for the order was today withdrawn by consent.

Latham’s attorney told reporters outside Sydney‘s Downing Center Local Court it was a good result for her client, who was excluded from participating.

Mark Latham has suffered a number of legal losses in recent months. (Dominic Lorrimer)

“The application (apprehension warrant) has been withdrawn and dismissed,” Zali Burrows said.

Latham – who is independent in the N.S.W House of Lords – has repeatedly denied the allegations and has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.

The rejection of the application means that a three-day hearing that was due to start today has been cancelled.

The MP previously tried to subpoena WiseTech Global’s billionaire founder Richard White, but the move was abandoned in September.

The local court declined to release court documents detailing the allegations against Latham, which are not the subject of criminal charges and remain untested.

Latham had claimed the order had been rescinded seven months ago, but was finally proven right today.

Mark Latham’s ex-girlfriend Nathalie Matthews has withdrawn her application for a violence order against the firebrand MP. (Edwina pickles)

“Tomorrow I was due to appear at the Sydney Local Court for the final term in the private AVO application against me,” he wrote on X in October.

“But it has now been scrapped and the application has been withdrawn… that’s the end of it.”

A legal victory is a welcome change for Latham, who has suffered a series of high-profile losses in recent months.

In April he was fined $100,000 by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal after it ruled that an obscene tweet directed at fellow MP Alex Greenwich constituted sexual harassment.

The Federal Court also previously ruled that the same tweet was defamatory and ordered Latham to pay $140,000 in legal costs.

At AVO’s withdrawal today, no costs orders were submitted by either party.

The controversial politician has been a right-wing independent MP since 2023, when a row with Senator Pauline Hanson led to his departure as prime minister. One nation NSW leader.

He led the Populist Party’s return to state politics in 2019, 15 years after his failed bid to lead Labor to federal election victory.

After losing to incumbent Prime Minister John Howard in 2004, Latham resigned from federal parliament and was later expelled from government. Labor Party.

He has been embroiled in several scandals in the past year, including taking photographs of female MPs without their knowledge, for which he has apologized.

Support is available via the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Family Violence Advisory Service bee 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

NEVER MISS A STORY: Be the first to receive your latest news and exclusive stories by following us on all platforms.