It ought to come as a surprise. The former leader of the Labor party and a protégé of Gough Whitlam announces he’s joining the ranks of Pauline Hanson‘s One Nation Party.
But as Mark Latham launched his bid for NSW parliament on Tuesday, barely anyone raised an eyebrow.
For in the almost 14 years since his 13-month reign as Opposition Leader (December 2003 to January 2005), Mark Latham’s roles as a political commentator, columnist and broadcaster unveiled an ire for political correctness and a talent for provoking outrage that made the move seem almost inevitable.
Today I am very proud to announce that @RealMarkLatham has joined @OneNationAus. Mark will be the party’s NSW state leader & will be running for the NSW legislative council at the next state election. I think it is safe to say the NSW election just got a lot more interesting. -PH pic.twitter.com/LjQutCnzej
— Pauline Hanson ???????? (@PaulineHansonOz) November 6, 2018
Top Comments
The trouble with Mark Latham is beneath his crass and rude delivery are grains of truth.
Anxiety for instance has been medicalised when it is a normal response to stress. Doesn’t mean some people don’t have a serious mental illness but way to many people are diagnosed.
His comments on domestic violence also hold truth bombs - It did become a catch phrase to sell media and political spin while achieving very little real outcomes. I see his point as we need to address the stressors that cause issues - like poverty and unemployment.
Do I think he is rude and hurtful and crass and vindictive- yes. But I see his anger as his response to the real causes of inequality. He’s a bright person from a poor background and he bristles at the widening divide between poor and rich. I also think he may need a few mental health diagnoses himself- he certainly does not have the tact or ability to communicate as a politician and I think he needs to step out of public life.
Unfortunately he speaks for other angry disenfranchised people so he may actually get votes and be there stirring the pot in his inflammatory ways.
The lib+labour parties have ended the lives of so many aussies that other parties like one nation are growing in popularity. The reason Mark joined one nation is because of immigration. (based on his twitter feed anyway)
One Nation has caused more lives to be ended than Lib and Labor combined. Which is why One Nation is shrinking in popularity according to the last newspoll. Greens are far more popular than One Nation.
Amandarose - How do you know “too many people are diagnosed”. Have you studied many people in the field and found them to be wrongly diagnosed? Have you got any evidence or is it just a hunch? What “truth bomb” has latham ever dropped about “domestic violence”? If there is any truth in what he says it would be the smallest grain on a large beach. I agree with your last couple of sentences.
How can you say that. No other party other than lib+lab has controlled the house of reps. One nation have never been the government. They have not allowed in any terrorists or killers. Yes I know most aussies are brain washed by the media. You have to speak to the police to get the truth.
One nation has my vote again. Ive always liked Mark after he called Howard a buttlicker. lol