Mark Latham axed as One Nation leader in NSW, accusing Pauline Hanson of ‘bizarre takeover’
Mark Latham has been pushed out as One Nation’s NSW leader, which he has claimed is a “Queensland takeover without consultation or due process”.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson confirmed a new executive was appointed on August 9 and that the position of NSW leader remained vacant, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I can confirm that the party’s national executive has resolved to form a new NSW state executive for the party,” the spokesperson told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“That state executive has been in place since the 9 of August this year and that includes, on the executive, senator Pauline Hanson,” they said.
“Latham is not on the new executive.
“The national party’s national executive has decided to declare vacant the position of NSW state parliamentary leader.”
Latham accused Hanson of spearheading the “bizarre” takeover without consultation.
“She has installed her own new State Executive with people from Queensland and Tasmania who did not lift a finger to help us during the March election campaign,” Latham said on Facebook.
“Good party members who worked exceptionally hard for One Nation have been kicked off the Executive.”
He said he remained leader of the parliamentary team and claimed the decision was justified by a one per cent drop in the party upper house vote in March.
“Over the past five years we have built up into the largest One Nation parliamentary party in the country – so where’s the problem?
“The Queensland takeover is not about performance. It is about money.”
He claimed he previously stopped the misuse of party funds.
The One Nation spokesperson said a comprehensive review of the NSW division would take place.
“In particular with respect to future campaigns and the relationship between the party organisation in NSW and the NSW parliamentary wing of the party.”
Previously Latham quit the upper house to recontest the top One Nation spot in March to increase the party’s MP numbers in the lower house.
In late March, Hanson condemned an offensive tweet Latham aimed at NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich, who is gay. 9News has chosen not to publish the words contained in the tweet.
Greenwich launched a defamation suit which remains before the court.
