Andrew Hastie confronts Pauline Hanson over calls he is a traitor
Andrew Hastie challenges Pauline Hanson over cartoon calling him a traitor.
Coalition MP Andrew Hastie publicly confronted Pauline Hanson after she published a cartoon depicting him as a traitor. Hastie is a Special Air Service veteran who served three tours in the Middle East.
He said calling him a traitor crosses a line. Hanson's political operation attacked Hastie for giving evidence in Ben Roberts-Smith's failed defamation trial.
Hastie's move breaks with other Coalition MPs. Most have avoided directly challenging Hanson.
Some copy her positions. Others stay silent.
Hanson's political comeback is powered by billionaire Gina Rinehart's near-unlimited funding. That money also helped bring Barnaby Joyce to One Nation.
This gave Hanson mainstream credibility.
- 3 tours in the Middle East
- Military service
- Hanson's primary support tripled in polls
- Support increase
Why it mattersHastie shows an alternative to the strategy of backing down that most Coalition politicians have chosen. It raises the question of whether pushback will slow Hanson's party's rise.
AustraliaOne Nation has tripled its support in opinion polls and is seen as increasingly influential in Australian politics. Hastie's stance may reshape how mainstream parties respond to Hanson's attacks and positions.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 12 d ago
