Mark Latham served bankruptcy papers at Sydney racecourse
Former NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham was served with bankruptcy papers while attending a race meeting at Royal Randwick. The notice follows a defamation case brought by independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich. Latham has 21 days to pay the outstanding debt; unpaid legal costs push his total bill beyond $500,000, while NSW law sets out consequences for MPs who become bankrupt.
Former NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham served bankruptcy papers at Royal Randwick racecourse on Saturday, October 31, 2026, over a debt linked to independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich’s defamation lawsuit. The proceedings could put Latham’s seat in the NSW parliament at stake if he is declared bankrupt.
A representative of Greenwich handed Latham the papers while he attended The Golden Eagle racing event. Latham has 21 days to pay the outstanding debt.
The notice seeks about $180,000 in court-ordered damages and interest. Including unpaid legal costs, Latham’s total bill exceeds $500,000.
Why was Mark Latham served bankruptcy papers?
The notice stems from Greenwich’s successful defamation case over a Twitter post Latham published in March 2023. The Federal Court upheld the original finding that the post, which referred to Greenwich’s sexuality in highly graphic terms, defamed him.
Greenwich declined to comment on the service of the papers, referring instead to a statement he made earlier this month after the High Court dismissed Latham’s final appeal. He said the post subjected him to an avalanche of homophobic hate and accused Latham of refusing to take responsibility while pursuing appeals.
Latham did not comment when approached at the racecourse by a journalist who witnessed the service. He called the reporter a “nosy dickhead”.
Later, Latham said he had been followed at the races by the person serving the documents and by a journalist and photographer. He complained that his lawyer already had the documents.
What could bankruptcy mean for his seat?
Under the NSW Constitution Act 1902, an MP who becomes bankrupt or takes the benefit of a law relieving bankrupt or insolvent debtors must have their seat declared vacant. The debt notice itself does not declare Latham bankrupt; the immediate deadline is to pay what is outstanding.
If Latham cannot or does not pay within 21 days, he can apply to a court to be declared officially bankrupt. That potential legal step carries a direct parliamentary consequence under the state law.
The financial dispute follows years of litigation over the social media post. In June, Latham listed his five-bedroom family home for $2.4 million, but said the listing was unrelated to the legal costs and damages owed in his dispute with Greenwich.
The next deadline is 21 days from service of the bankruptcy notice.
