UPDATE: A critical development in the apprehended violence order (AVO) case involving controversial MP Mark Latham suggests a likely settlement is imminent. During a court session at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, Nathalie May Matthews, Latham’s ex-partner, is reportedly close to reaching an agreement regarding her application for a private AVO.
This urgent situation escalated after Matthews accused Latham of years of manipulation and sustained abuse. Despite these serious allegations, Latham, who now serves as an independent member of the NSW upper house, has denied any wrongdoing and has not faced criminal charges.
According to Matthews’ lawyer, Daniel Wakim, negotiations have progressed significantly over the past three months. “We are very much likely to settle and resolve the matters in their entirety,” Wakim stated, revealing that he withdrew an application for an interim AVO which would have provided Matthews with protection until a court hearing in May 2026.
Additionally, a request for a non-publication order concerning the ongoing court dispute has also been retracted as discussions continue. Outside the courtroom, Wakim emphasized that “discussions are ongoing,” maintaining that the terms of the proposed agreement would remain confidential.
In a surprising twist, Latham took to social media on Tuesday to assert that the AVO application had been withdrawn entirely. “I was due in the Sydney Local Court tomorrow for the latest instalment in the private AVO application against me,” he posted on X. “But it has now been delisted and the application withdrawn … that’s the end of that.”
However, Matthews’ application for a longer-term AVO remains active and is scheduled to return to court in December 2023. Latham’s political career has seen significant turbulence; he has been an independent MP since 2023 after a fallout with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
Since his departure from the party, Latham has faced numerous controversies, including accusations of inappropriately photographing female MPs, for which he has publicly apologized. Calls to remove his portrait from the Labor Party’s federal room have resulted in a sign clarifying his lifetime ban from the party.
As negotiations continue towards a settlement, the implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, impacting both Latham’s political standing and the ongoing dialogue surrounding issues of personal safety and accountability in public office.
For those affected by similar issues, support is available through resources such as 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline at 13 11 14, and the Men’s Referral Service at 1300 766 491.
