Mark Latham faces bipartisan backlash over homophobic tweet

One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham is facing mounting condemnation across the political spectrum after posting and deleting homophobic comments about openly gay MP Alex Greenwich, with his defiant refusal to apologise sparking rare bipartisan criticism—including rebukes from his own party leadership.

The row erupted following a violent protest outside St Michael's Church in Sydney's west, where Latham had spoken during the state election campaign. When Greenwich publicly criticised Latham's involvement in the lead-up to the event, labelling him a "disgusting human being" and a risk to the state, Latham responded with a graphic homophobic description of sexual acts. He subsequently deleted the post, claiming it was unsuitable for children, but has otherwise shown no remorse.

Instead, Latham has doubled down. In a statement to The Saturday Telegraph this week, he dismissed Greenwich's criticism as a tit-for-tat exchange, suggesting the MP's reaction was proportional to what he had "thrown out". He has quoted commentary urging public figures never to apologise, signalling his intention to hold firm against mounting pressure.

"Sometimes in public life when you throw out insults they come back at you harder and truer," Latham said.

The comments have triggered swift condemnation spanning government, media and sections of the public service. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, alongside Premier Chris Minns, declared there is "no place" for such conduct in the state or its political system. Both called directly on Latham to apologise to Greenwich.

"His behaviour is completely unacceptable. There's no place for it in NSW, there's no place for it in NSW politics, there's no place for it in our community," Sharpe said.

Yet the newly elected Labor government is hobbled in its ability to take formal action. With upper house counting still underway—a process concluding on 20 April—parliament cannot invoke disciplinary measures. Latham had exploited a procedural loophole by resigning before the election and recontesting his seat, a move that has delayed his return to parliament and complicated any formal parliamentary sanction.

Greenwich responded with measured restraint, stating that Latham is "clearly unfit for office" and expressing hope the One Nation member would seek help. Rather than engage further with the controversy, the independent MP signalled his focus on advancing LGBTQ+ reforms with the parliamentary majority.

Most strikingly, the backlash has reached Latham's own party. Pauline Hanson, One Nation's federal leader, publicly distanced herself, calling the remarks "disgusting" and confirming she has attempted to contact Latham multiple times demanding a public apology—efforts he has apparently ignored.

"I've actually tried to ring Mark a couple of times to no avail, and I have clearly sent a text message to him telling him my views," Hanson said in a Facebook video.

The criticism has also extended to conservative media commentators including Ray Hadley and Andrew Bolt, indicating the rhetoric has crossed ideological lines. Meanwhile, Latham's only substantive public response has been defiant: over the weekend he resurfaced online with the phrase "Never apologise, never explain"—a message signalling he will not yield to mounting pressure.