Mark Latham has failed to overturn a court decision ordering him to pay gay Sydney MP Alex Greenwich $140,000 over a homophobic tweet.
In 2024, Latham was ordered to pay $140,000 after he was found to have exposed Mr Greenwich to “hatred, contempt and ridicule” by posting a homophobic tweet.
The court ordered Latham to pay $100,000 to Greenwich for “non-economic loss” and $40,000 for “aggravated damages.”
Latham sought to have the judgment thrown out on appeal before the Federal Court.
He claimed the judge presiding over the 2024 defamation case made mistakes in finding the tweet was defamatory.
The tweet implied Greenwich “engages in disgusting sexual activities”.
His appeal was dismissed on Wednesday.
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‘He was exposed to ridicule’
Greenwich had described Latham as a “disgusting human being” in relation to Latham speaking at an event in Western Sydney.
At the event, a group of LGBTQIA+ protesters were attacked by a mob of counter-protesters and had to be evacuated by police.
Latham responded on Twitter with a comment about sex between men in relation to Greenwich.
He admitted the comment was offensive and vulgar, and was even criticised by Pauline Hanson.
The tweet was deleted after a few hours, but was seen 6171 times.
Latham claimed that his Twitter post was his honest opinion and a response to provocation by Greenwich’s comments.
In 2024, Justice David O’Callaghan found that Greenwich had “suffered a loss of standing” as a result of Latham’s Twitter post.
“He was exposed to ridicule, and that he experienced a significant subjective hurt to feelings, aggravated by the foreseeable maelstrom,” O’Callaghan told the court.
‘He failed to take responsibility for his actions’
Earlier this year, Greenwich won a landmark case for homosexual vilification and workplace sexual harassment against Latham for comments on Twitter.
“Another battle won: Latham’s appeal dismissed, my defamation win upheld.” Greenwich shared on social media.
“Justice is a long game.”
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“More than three years ago, Mr Latham defamed me in a sexually aggressive social media post that subjected me to an avalanche of homophobic hate.”
“He failed to take responsibility for his actions. Today, justice prevailed: his appeal has been dismissed, and the judgment in my favour upheld.
“This has been a tough few years, and I’m deeply grateful for the support of my husband, family, friends, colleagues, staff and mental health professionals.
“This is an important judgment at a time when politics is too often charged with divisive vitriol.
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