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Latham defends ambush style

Mark Latham has defended his confrontation with Julia Gillard and hit back at Nine News Political Editor Laurie Oakes.

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Former Labor leader Mark Latham has defended his confrontation with Julia Gillard and hit back at Nine News Political Editor Laurie Oakes.

Appearing on Sky’s Paul Murray Live last night, Latham said “I don’t need a permit to talk to a person that I’ve known well over the years.

“At one time we were very close, personally and politically, so I approached her and made a point that’s relevant to my story.”

Last night The 7PM Project showed footage in the lead-up to the ambush in which a frustrated Latham pushed his way through a media throng with the words “I’ve got something to say.”

But he told Paul Murray Live: “They parted. I didn’t have to push my way through anyone.

“I didn’t swear at her, I didn’t raise my voice,” he said.

“The physicality of it was all on her side, and you know, she gave me an answer that was true to form, a non-answer.”

He also gave the media pack his own interview after the exchange with the PM.

He also lashed out at Laurie Oakes saying he declined his request for an interview for his 60 Minutes story.

“He’s a hard worker in Canberra. He sits in his cubicle and waits for Kevin Rudd to ring him with a leak.”

Meanwhile the Seven Network took opportunity to issue a statement on Graham Richardson that highlighted its point of diffrence from Nine.

“We respect that Graham brings a unique perspective to politics that our viewers can identify with,
and look forward to his political insights as part of our balanced coverage during the election campaign and election night television coverage,” it said.

Nine CEO David Gyngell apologised to the PM for Latham’s conduct at the weekend.

Source: Sky News

14 Responses

  1. I cannot believe he will still be part of 60 Minutes. His style of journalism is better suited to ACA or Today Tonight. Has 60 Minutes really dropped its standards so low?

  3. The media uses Latham as much as he uses it! Paul Murray Live keeps allowing him to appear and spill his guts – amidst all his guff and bile, he occasionally says some fascinating things about contemporary politics – but no way is he part of the solution – very much part of the problem. Nine news tonight had their second story about Latham’s attacks on Laurie Oakes – they all just want to make more news for themselves and make themselves the story. What was that Simpsons song to the giant icons to ignore them and they will self destruct “Just don’t look, Just don’t look!”

  4. Hey, “Taylor and Burton” go write your opinions somewhere else. People visit to this blog to read about TV issues, not to read biased and boring political rantings.
    ps – Back to0 the story, Latham is a fairly sad figure but remember he is basically unemployable and desperately looking for a gig.

  5. Ms Gillard is teflon coated seem she can say and do what she likes dish it out to the men eg sledge Mark Latham on q and a but heaven help the men ie Mark Latham Tony Abbott or Kevin Rudd if they say or do anything to upste the leftie media womens darling Gillard
    well one day her golden run will end! hooray when it does simply cant wait!
    her self assuredeness drives voters mad, her I am holier than thou attitude and her belief that she was the minister of all ministers in education when she stuffed up the BER should make voters reconsider!
    No the real Julia has not stood up
    her choice her way is what counts to her and Not the National interest Gillard will take Australia backwards because she lacks vision now we can all spout rehearsed lines like there is more to do but who is the real Gillard and what are her integral substantive aims for Australais future and how do we know she wont rescind them for political expediency! at least Keating stood for something not just whatever it takes to win!

  8. This isn’t the first time a former pollie has done a story for 60 Minutes – anyone remember Bob Hawke doing a reporting spot for it back in 1992 to cover the British elections?

    I find Latham an amusing character – since he’s the one who coined the 2007 election as the ‘Seinfeld’ election – he reminds me of one of the characters in it – George Costanza’s mad father.

    Latham appears to be using this election and his media spot as a tool for the ‘airing of grievances’ – I’ll call it ‘Festivus Reporting’.

    No doubt we’ll see more of him spouting his wisdom like George’s dad – but only if he doesn’t chase anyone up that Festivus Pole !!

  9. I don’t think the whole confrontation was all that bad. I just think that when everyone sees Mark Latham they just take the easy line and lambast him. Labor will do that because he’s ‘turned’ against them and Liberal because he is the natural enemy. And he doesn’t have too many fans in the media due to past history with them. I’ve enjoyed his interviews on Sky News. Sure here is some bitterness there but also a lot of frankness in what he says. I’m sure the 60 Minutes story will be pretty interesting.

  10. If Channel 9 is to regain any honor from this sickening episode – Latham is now claiming that Julia Gillard “touched” him down the front! – it should issue a statement, which says: “Channel 9 has dispensed with the services of Mark Latham. He has been sacked. 60 Minutes will not screen Mr Latham’s report on 60 Minutes.”

    It’s clear that Latham is unhinged. If the channel persists with using him as a “reporter”, it should be considered unfit to hold a broadcast licence.

  11. Shut up Latham- seriously you need to accept that you aren’t always in the right!

    I saw that lead up footage and thought it was disgusting the way mark acted. Nine have no choice now but to let him go.

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