Latham's portrait remains in parliament but there's a catch | 7.30

Key Concepts:

• Mark Latham: Former leader of the Labor Party, expelled in 2017.
• Caucus: A meeting of members of a legislative body who belong to a particular party or faction.
• Labor Party Values: The core beliefs and principles that guide the Labor Party's policies and actions.
• Historical Context: Understanding events and figures within their specific time period.

Mark Latham's Portrait and Labor Party's Response

The main topic is the decision regarding Mark Latham's portrait hanging in parliament and the Labor Party's response to his current views. The Caucus approved language to be attached to the portrait.

Details of the Approved Language

The approved language explicitly states that Mark Latham was expelled from the Labor Party in 2017 and will never be allowed to return. The reason for this expulsion is that his views no longer align with the values held by the Labor Party.

Leader's Personal Stance and Historical Context

The speaker expresses regret over Mark Latham's past leadership of the Labor Party. This regret is not a recent development but something the speaker actively opposed at the time, supporting Kim Beasley instead. The speaker believes that history has validated this judgment.

Mark Latham's Current Views and Mainstream Australia

The speaker asserts that Mark Latham has increasingly distanced himself from mainstream Australian values. The speaker finds Latham's views "repulsive" across various areas.

Dealing with History

The speaker acknowledges that the portrait represents a historical fact. The approach to dealing with this historical presence is not to remove it but to provide context and highlight the changes that have occurred, specifically Latham's departure from Labor Party values.

Notable Quotes:

• "Mark Leaman was expelled from the Labour Party in 2017, never to be allowed to return because his views don't represent the values that the Labor Party holds." (Statement of Caucus-approved language)
• "Mark Laam has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas." (Speaker's personal opinion)
• "History has proven uh that judgment to be correct." (Speaker's belief regarding his past opposition to Latham's leadership)

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The Labor Party has chosen to address the presence of Mark Latham's portrait by adding language that clarifies his expulsion and disassociation from the party's values. This approach acknowledges the historical context while explicitly distancing the party from Latham's current views, which are considered to be outside the mainstream. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the changes that have occurred and reaffirms the party's commitment to its core values.