UPDATE: A significant development has emerged in the ongoing legal battle involving controversial MP Mark Latham and his ex-partner Nathalie May Matthews. Court proceedings have indicated that the application for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against Latham is “very much likely to settle,” according to Matthews’ lawyer, Daniel Wakim, during a session at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
This urgent announcement comes after Matthews, 38, accused Latham of years of manipulation and sustained abuse, leading her to seek a private AVO for protection. Latham, who now serves as an independent MP in the NSW upper house, has firmly denied these allegations and has not faced any criminal charges.
After three months of negotiations, Wakim revealed that both parties are nearing an agreement. He stated, “(We are) very much likely to settle and resolve the matters in their entirety,” prompting the withdrawal of an application for an interim AVO that would have protected Matthews until a three-day hearing scheduled for May 2026. Furthermore, a bid for a non-publication order regarding the court dispute has also been retracted as discussions continue.
Outside the court, Wakim emphasized that the terms of the proposed settlement will remain confidential, saying, “Discussions are ongoing. Everything else is proceeding in its usual course.”
In a twist, Latham took to social media on Tuesday to claim that the AVO application had been withdrawn entirely. He posted on X, “I was due in the Sydney Local Court tomorrow for the latest instalment in the private AVO application against me. But it has now been delisted and the application withdrawn … that’s the end of that.” However, it is crucial to note that Matthews’ application for a longer-term AVO is still active and set to return to court in December 2023.
Latham’s political career has been marred by controversy, including recent scandals involving inappropriate behavior towards female MPs. He has served as an independent MP since 2023 following a fallout with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, which led to his departure as the party’s state leader. Latham once played a pivotal role in bringing the right-wing party back to NSW politics in 2019, 15 years after his unsuccessful bid to lead the Labor Party to federal election victory.
As this situation continues to evolve, observers are urged to stay tuned for further updates on the court proceedings and potential settlement discussions.
For those affected by domestic violence, help is available through services such as 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732, Lifeline at 13 11 14, and the Men’s Referral Service at 1300 766 491.
