Mark Latham, former NSW One Nation leader, will pay over $500,000 in legal costs due to a defamatory tweet targeting Alex Greenwich, a Sydney MP. The Federal Court initially awarded Greenwich $140,000 in damages for the offensive tweet, described as a 'vile, homophobic attack'.
A protracted legal battle ensued over the costs, with Latham arguing for a reduced payment. Latham's legal team claimed he should only pay a quarter of Greenwich's costs, but the court rejected this, citing Latham's overwhelming failure in the case.
Justice O’Callaghan ordered Latham to pay approximately 70% of Greenwich’s legal costs, totaling over $600,000. While some of Latham's subsequent comments were deemed not defamatory, his main claim was unsuccessful.