Independent MP Mark Latham has denied abusing his former partner Natalie Matthews, but admitted to exchanging sexually explicit text messages with her while on the parliamentary floor.

Council of the City of Sydney

Independent MP Mark Latham has addressed public allegations made by his former partner, Natalie Matthews, who is seeking an apprehended violence order against him. Latham has categorically denied any abuse or harassment, describing the claims as 'ridiculous and preposterous.'

He has admitted to exchanging explicit messages and photos with Matthews while on the floor of parliament, stating this occurred during significant legislative debates. Latham defended his actions as personal and suggested such behavior may not be uncommon among MPs, though others have noted that voters expect parliamentarians to focus on their official duties.

Mark Latham admits sending explicit messages at work

Good evening, Sandra. Yes, I do. The independent MP has now spoken publicly about the abuse allegations levelled against him by his former partner, Natalie Matthews, as well as reports the pair exchanged highly explicit text messages of a sexual nature while he was working on the floor of Parliament. Now, on the first issue, he denies he ever abused or harassed Miss Matthews, calling that ridiculous and preposterous. Miss Matthews is personally seeking an apprehended violence order against Mr Latham and her application will be heard in the Downing Centre on July 30th. On that second issue, he has admitted that during parliamentary sittings, he and Miss Matthews did send explicit messages and photos to each other while he was on the floor of the Upper House. He says he is guilty of being human and male. If I'm the only person in Australia who in a work environment is engaged in a bit of playful sex talk with their partner, then I'll buy everyone a lottery ticket tomorrow. If I'm the only person in the country who does that, and as a colleague said to me this morning, boy, if they check the phones of every MP, federal and state, Mark, you're not Robinson Crusoe. I think your average voter would expect people to be focusing on whatever is being debated or voted on at the time and that's a pretty basic expectation of your average person in the state. Sandra, I went back and checked what was being debated when many of those messages were sent on the 20th of February. It turns out it was one of the most significant sittings of state parliament this year. That was the day and eventual night when highly controversial protest and hate speech laws were passed.

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