Sydney MP Alex Greenwich will take legal action against Mark Latham unless the NSW One Nation leader apologises for homophobic comments directed at the independent.
Despite widespread condemnation, the maverick One Nation MP has refused to apologise for a tweet he posted on March 30 that Mr Greenwich described as “defamatory and homophobic”.
“He followed that up with media commentary that doubled down on his attack,” Mr Greenwich said on Monday.
The comments were in response to Mr Greenwich calling Mr Latham “a disgusting human being” after LGBTQIA+ protesters were attacked outside a candidates’ forum including Mr Latham as a speaker, during the NSW election campaign.
When pressed for an apology, Mr Latham tweeted “never apologise, never explain”.
Mr Greenwich said unless Mr Latham apologised and made amends, he would begin defamation proceedings.
The independent MP has also lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification with the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, and made a police complaint against Mr Latham for using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
Police were investigating after Mr Greenwich complained of being harassed online, a NSW Police spokesman confirmed on Monday.
“Officers attached to Surry Hills Area Command have commenced an investigation after receiving reports of online harassment directed at a 42-year-old man,” the spokesman said.
Mr Greenwich made the complaint after deciding “enough is enough”.
“I’ve been openly gay in public life for 15 years and in NSW Parliament for over 10 years, and never have I experienced such a homophobic, sexualised attack that exposed me to contempt, ridicule and extreme abuse, based on my sexuality,.”
Mr Greenwich said he was also taking action for all LGBTQIA+ people who faced regular abuse.
His legal team will also approach Twitter about its provision of a platform that “freely allows extreme homophobia, transphobia, racism and religious bigotry”.
The tweet caused a schism between Mr Latham and One Nation’s federal leader Pauline Hanson, who said the comments were “disgusting” and called on him to apologise. She said he ignored her calls and texts.
Last week, Mr Latham denied there had been any contact from Senator Hanson. Appearing on TNT radio last Thursday, he made more offensive remarks and told host Chris Smith he was speaking for “for straight men”, adding “this is what makes us straight”.
“Pauline hasn’t rung me at any stage during this. I’ve had no contact from her,” he said.
“I’m assuming that, as a woman, she doesn’t understand how straight men feel about this, and I don’t think gay men would understand how straight men feel about it.
“That’s just the reality. And that’s not homophobia, that’s just nature.”
Premier Chris Minns condemned Mr Latham’s comments, saying they were “terrible” and would “unleash ghouls” on the MP. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the comments.
Mr Latham was re-elected for an eight-year term in the NSW upper house in March.
But the legal action could impact his ability to serve if he is charged with an offence by police.
– with AAP
