- Former federal Labor leader and NSW independent MP Mark Latham has denied allegations of domestic violence, coercive control, and degrading sexual behaviour made by ex-partner Nathalie May Matthews.
- Court documents allege Latham physically assaulted, intimidated, and financially controlled Matthews, including incidents of property damage and coercive sexual acts.
- Latham rejected the claims as “baseless” and vowed to fight them in court, saying they were designed to damage his reputation.
- The allegations add to his recent legal troubles, including a defamation case brought by Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, which cost Latham over $600,000.
- Advocacy groups say the political silence around the case highlights Australia’s broader domestic violence crisis.
Former federal Labor leader and current independent New South Wales MP Mark Latham has publicly denied serious allegations made by former partner Nathalie May Matthews, who has accused him of repeated acts of domestic violence, coercive control, and degrading sexual behaviour throughout their relationship.
The Australian first reported the allegations, with court documents filed in the NSW District Court detailing claims that Latham subjected his former partner to physical assaults, verbal abuse, and degrading sexual demands, including allegedly ordering her to call him “Master” during sexual acts.
Matthews also claims that Latham controlled her access to money, isolated her from friends, and engaged in intimidating behaviours, including property damage.
“The defendant has held intimate photos and videos of me, and I have been afraid he would expose them to shame and control me if I attempted to leave or resist his demands,’’ the application stated.
“The defendant has repeatedly manipulated and intimidated me into resuming the relationship following separations, creating a cycle of fear and control.
Previous breakups in May 2024, June 2024, September 2024, January 2025, and June 2025 were followed by similar intimidation and re-engagement.
“(Mr Latham engaged in) physical violence, including pushing me against walls, forcing me out the door, throwing a plate at me during an argument, and driving at me with his vehicle, hitting me with the side mirror and causing a bruise,” the court documents state, according to news.com.au.
Latham has categorically denied the allegations, labelling them “ridiculous, baseless, and offensive” in a public statement published over the weekend.
“The claims are a complete fabrication,” he told reporters, describing his former partner as “deeply troubled” and motivated by personal vendettas.
“I will vigorously defend myself in court and expect to be fully vindicated.”
The former partner’s affidavit describes what she alleges was a pattern of sustained abuse during their relationship, with incidents reportedly occurring as recently as 2022.
Latham, who previously led the Australian Labor Party to defeat in the 2004 federal election before becoming an outspoken independent politician, said in a statement that the claims “are designed to destroy my public standing and reputation.”
This comes after an ABC report revealed that in a separate legal matter, Mark Latham was sued by Sydney MP Alex Greenwich over a March 2023 tweet that a judge described as having “went as low as possible.”
The Federal Court heard Latham’s message, deleted after a few hours, used explicit, homophobic sexual language and allegedly triggered death threats and panic attacks against Greenwich.
Latham has defended the post as “vulgar and crass” but within the bounds of political debate.
Federal Court Justice David O’Callaghan found Latham’s post was defamatory, concluding it falsely implied Greenwich engaged in shocking sexual activity.
He was awarded $140,000 in damages, and Latham later lost appeals over legal costs, being ordered to pay an additional $ 500,000 or more in April 2025.
The allegations have sparked widespread media attention but little political response from NSW’s major parties, with Premier Chris Minns declining to comment on the matter, citing it as a private legal issue.
Latham remains an independent MP for the NSW Upper House after splitting from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party last year.
Advocacy groups have expressed concern over the political silence surrounding the allegations, urging public figures to address the broader issue of domestic violence regardless of Latham’s guilt or innocence.
“What we’re seeing here is yet another high-profile case where serious abuse allegations are dismissed without thorough examination,” said Hayley Foster, CEO of Full Stop Australia. “Regardless of the outcome of this case, these claims underscore the urgent need to focus on addressing domestic violence as a national crisis.”
The matter will be mentioned at the Downing Centre Local Court on July 30
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support is available. Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800respect.org.au.