Mark Latham’s political career is one of the most dramatic shifts in Australian public life — from leading the Labor Party to sitting as an independent in the New South Wales Legislative Council. Born in 1961, he studied economics at the University of Sydney before entering politics, and his path has taken surprising turns ever since.
Born: 28 February 1961 ·
Leader of the Opposition: 2003–2005 ·
Current Role: Member of the NSW Legislative Council (since 2019) ·
Former Party: Australian Labor Party (1979–2005)
Quick snapshot
- Born 28 February 1961 in Sydney (NSW Parliament member profile)
- Educated at Hurlstone Agricultural High School (NSW Parliament member profile)
- Graduated from University of Sydney (NSW Parliament member profile)
- Labor MP for Werriwa 1994–2005 (Parliament of Australia profile)
- Shadow Minister 1996–98, 2001–03 (Parliament of Australia profile)
- Leader of the Opposition 2003–05 (Parliament of Australia profile)
- Member of NSW Legislative Council since 2019 (Parliament of Australia profile)
- Married to Janine Latham (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- Two children (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- Resides in Sydney (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- Expelled from One Nation in 2023 (Antony Green election analysis)
- Sits as independent (Antony Green election analysis)
- Active media commentator (Antony Green election analysis)
Seven key facts, one pattern: Latham’s career combines early local government roles, a rapid federal rise, party switches, and a return to state politics.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark William Latham |
| Born | 28 February 1961 |
| Political Party | Independent (formerly Labor, One Nation) |
| Spouse | Janine Latham |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Hurlstone Agricultural High School, University of Sydney |
| Current Position | Member of the NSW Legislative Council |
Is Mark Latham still married?
Yes, Mark Latham is married to Janine Latham. According to Wikipedia (biographical entry), the couple married around 1992 and have two children together. They live in Sydney.
Who is Mark Latham’s wife?
Janine Latham has kept a relatively low public profile. She is not a public figure and has rarely appeared in the media alongside her husband.
How many children does Mark Latham have?
Latham and his wife have two children — a son and a daughter, according to Wikipedia. Their names have not been widely published.
Where is Mark Latham now?
Mark Latham currently serves as a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, the upper house of the state parliament. He was elected on the One Nation ticket in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, but now sits as an independent after being expelled from the party in 2023 (ABC News report). He is based in Sydney and remains active in politics and media commentary.
What is Mark Latham’s current role?
His official title is The Hon. Mark Latham, MLC, as recorded by the NSW Parliament member profile. He sits on no committee as of the latest session.
What is Mark Latham doing now?
Latham continues to speak on policy issues, write columns, and engage with the media. He has been a regular contributor to outlets like The Australian Financial Review and The Daily Telegraph in the past, and still appears on television and radio.
Latham occupies a unique position in NSW politics: an independent with a national profile but limited power in the chamber. His influence now comes more from commentary than legislation.
What is Anthony Albanese’s real name?
Anthony Albanese’s full name is Anthony Norman Albanese. He is often referred to by the nickname “Albo” in Australian media. According to Wikipedia biographical entry, his middle name is Norman, and he was named after his father.
Anthony Albanese’s full name
Albanese’s birth name is Anthony Norman Albanese. He was born on 2 March 1963 in Sydney.
The implication: This question often arises because Albanese uses his full name on official documents, but the public rarely hears the middle name.
Timeline
- 1961 – Born in Sydney (NSW Parliament member profile)
- 1987 – Elected as alderman on Liverpool Council
- 1991–1994 – Mayor of Liverpool
- 1994 – Elected to the House of Representatives for Werriwa (Parliament of Australia profile)
- 2003–2005 – Leader of the Opposition
- 2005 – Resigned from federal politics
- 2017 – Left the Labor Party
- 2018 – Joined One Nation
- 2019 – Elected to NSW Legislative Council (ABC News report)
- 2023 – Expelled from One Nation, became independent (Antony Green election analysis)
The pattern: Latham’s timeline shows a political figure who continuously reinvented his party affiliation, moving from Labor to One Nation to independent, while maintaining a legislative seat.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birth date: 28 February 1961 (NSW Parliament member profile)
- Marriage to Janine Latham
- All political offices held (federal MP, Shadow Minister, Opposition Leader, MLC)
- Current role in NSW Parliament
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Future political ambitions
- Details of personal controversies
Mark Latham was born on 28 February 1961 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
— NSW Parliament member profile (official government record)
He was re-elected to the NSW Legislative Council at the 2023 state election.
— Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
Latham has sat as an independent in the NSW Legislative Council after resigning from One Nation in 2023.
— Antony Green (Australian election analyst)
What this means: The sources are consistent on Latham’s core biography but diverge on the interpretation of his party changes. The NSW Parliament official record is the most authoritative for his current position.
Summary
Mark Latham’s political trajectory is a case study in ideological reinvention. From Labor leader to independent MLC, his career has been shaped by ambition, controversy, and a willingness to change parties. For voters in New South Wales, the choice is clear: Latham remains a vocal but isolated figure in the legislative council, likely to continue his role as a media commentator rather than a mainstream party player.
parliament.nsw.gov.au, southernpulse.org, britannica.com, au.news.yahoo.com, linkedin.com, theguardian.com, fr.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
What is Mark Latham’s net worth?
Latham’s exact net worth is not publicly known. He has not disclosed detailed financial information, and no reliable estimates are available.
What party is Mark Latham currently in?
He sits as an independent in the NSW Legislative Council after being expelled from One Nation in 2023.
Does Mark Latham have any siblings?
Public records do not list siblings. Latham’s family background is not widely documented.
What is Mark Latham’s education?
He attended Hurlstone Agricultural High School and graduated with honours in economics from the University of Sydney in 1982 (NSW Parliament member profile).
Has Mark Latham written any books?
Yes, Latham is the author of several books, including Civilising Global Capital (1998) and The Latham Diaries (2005), which documented his time as Labor leader.
What controversies is Mark Latham involved in?
Latham has been involved in several controversies, including public feuds with journalists, his expulsion from One Nation, and comments on social issues that drew criticism.
What is Mark Latham’s stance on key issues?
Latham’s views have shifted over time. Originally a Labor progressive, he later adopted conservative positions on immigration, gender, and social policy, aligning with One Nation before returning to independent status.
How old is Mark Latham?
Born on 28 February 1961, he is 63 years old as of 2024.
Related reading
- Jacinda Ardern: Life After Resignation – A biography of the former New Zealand Prime Minister and her post-leadership life.
- Imran Khan: What Happened, Legal Battles, and Prison Life – The story of Pakistan’s former PM and his legal challenges.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.