Andrew Hastie calls One Nation leaders “lying cowards”

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has escalated a political dispute with One Nation leaders Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce, labeling them “lying cowards” after they denied calling him a traitor.

Hastie, a former SAS captain, maintains that One Nation has targeted his integrity through an online campaign and animated content that depicts him as disloyal to Australia. The dispute stems from Hastie’s 2022 testimony in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case, where he testified regarding allegations of misconduct by the former soldier in Afghanistan. Hastie stated he was legally required to testify and accused One Nation of politicizing the proceedings to undermine the rule of law.

The conflict follows an increase in online hostility toward Hastie, which prompted federal police to provide upgraded security for his home and office. Hastie accused the minor party of attempting to unseat him in his Canning electorate by exploiting anger surrounding the war crimes allegations against Roberts-Smith.