Key facts
- Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has threatened Pauline Hanson and One Nation strategist James Ashby with legal action.
- The threat comes after One Nation allegedly labelled Hastie a "traitor" for giving evidence in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case.
- Hastie stated he complied with a subpoena and gave evidence under oath.
- He defended his military service and called his critics "cowards" who have not served in the ADF.
- Hastie warned that legal action would be "costly" in time, money, and political capital.
- Security was previously increased around Hastie's home and office due to threats.
- One Nation is reportedly planning a campaign against Hastie in his electorate at the next federal election.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has issued a strong warning to Pauline Hanson and One Nation strategist James Ashby, threatening a "costly" legal fight over accusations that he is a traitor to Australia. Hastie, a former SAS captain, stated that he would no longer tolerate slander from the party, which he believes is targeting him because he provided evidence under oath in the defamation case involving Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.
Hastie described his critics as "cowards" who have not served in the Australian Defence Force, emphasizing his own military service and loyalty to Australia. He indicated that any further attacks would result in significant costs in terms of time, money, and political capital. This confrontation follows a period where Hastie and his family experienced threats and abuse, leading to increased security around his home and office.
One Nation recently secured a victory in a Western Australian state byelection that overlaps with Hastie's federal electorate of Canning. The party has signaled its intention to campaign strongly in Canning at the next federal election. Meanwhile, opposition leader Angus Taylor has publicly stated that One Nation is "unfit to govern" and raised concerns about its Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, who is facing allegations of drug use.