Key facts
- Liberal MP Andrew Hastie called Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce "lying cowards".
- Hastie claims a One Nation cartoon depicted him as a traitor for testifying in court against Ben Roberts-Smith.
- The cartoon, shared by Hanson, also linked Hastie's testimony to supporting "evil hate speech legislation".
- Hastie, a military veteran, criticized Hanson and Joyce for attacking his integrity and loyalty.
- Hanson denied calling Hastie a traitor, instead calling him a "wanker".
- Joyce denied calling Hastie a traitor and stated he supported Hastie and his family.
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has escalated his public dispute with One Nation, labeling Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce "lying cowards." Hastie claims a One Nation cartoon, shared by Hanson on social media, portrayed him as a traitor for providing evidence in court against Ben Roberts-Smith.
Hastie, a veteran who served in Afghanistan, stated that the cartoon, which has garnered over 145,000 views on YouTube, depicted him asking Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for help after being called a traitor online. The animated video suggests Hastie's testimony against Roberts-Smith and support for "evil hate speech legislation" led to the accusations.
"I would say that Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce are lying cowards, and I’ll say it again, so there’s no ambiguity," Hastie told News24. He emphasized that individuals who have not served in the Australian Defence Force should not define military values or attack his integrity and loyalty.
Hanson, however, denied calling Hastie a traitor, telling The Nightly, "I will call him a wanker." Barnaby Joyce also denied calling Hastie a traitor, stating he had not seen the cartoon and had spoken in support of Hastie and his family. Hastie has previously spoken about facing threats and abuse, leading to increased security around his home and office.
One Nation has indicated plans to challenge Hastie in his federal electorate of Canning at the upcoming election.