Internet State

Andrew Hastie has committed to fully pursuing his conflict with Pauline Hanson, calling her a “lying coward” and expressing his belief that One Nation MPs Barnaby Joyce and David Farley are likely experiencing "buyers' remorse" after joining the party. Hastie has also reiterated his dissatisfaction with Hanson, who refuses to remove a video depicting him as a "traitor," and emphasized the need to "draw a line in the sand" in response to One Nation's campaign against him. Joyce defended his choice to be part of One Nation, arguing that the political status quo has become insufficiently responsive and emphasizing the necessity of strong leadership.

Andrew Hastie accepted an apology from Barnaby Joyce regarding a One Nation cartoon that referred to him as a traitor eight times, which has caused a division within the party, as leader Pauline Hanson continues to defend the video. Hastie criticized Hanson as a "lying coward" and stated that the cartoon not only insulted him but all veterans involved in the defamation trial against Ben Roberts-Smith. While Joyce expressed regret over the hurt caused and distanced himself from the video, Hanson has refused to remove it, suggesting critics should "take a chill pill," and the cartoon remains pinned to her social media account.

Andrew Hastie, a Liberal MP and former SAS soldier, reluctantly testified in the defamation case against Ben Roberts-Smith, stating, "I don’t want to be here," and was described by Justice Anthony Besanko as an "honest and straightforward witness." Hastie's testimony included allegations about a 2012 operation in Afghanistan, where he claimed that Roberts-Smith ordered the execution of an unarmed prisoner, a central allegation in one of the five war crimes charges against Roberts-Smith. Following Hastie's testimony, he faced backlash from One Nation, with members labeling him derogatory terms online, including "gutless maggot" and "traitor."

Jacqui Lambie has labeled Pauline Hanson a "bloody coward" for a One Nation cartoon depicting Andrew Hastie as a traitor, criticizing its violent content and calling for its removal. Hastie, a veteran who served in Afghanistan, is under fire from Hanson and her backer Gina Rinehart after giving evidence against Ben Roberts-Smith in a defamation case. Senior Liberals, including opposition leader Angus Taylor, have also condemned the cartoon, emphasizing that Hastie has served the country with distinction and should not be attacked for his testimony.

Andrew Hastie criticized One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for a cartoon that labeled him a "traitor" following his testimony against Ben Roberts-Smith in a defamation case, affecting not only him but all veterans. He emphasized that over 20 SAS combat veterans also provided evidence in court and questioned whether they too were considered traitors, highlighting the broader implications of Hanson's remarks. Although Hastie decided against pursuing legal action due to Hanson's backing by billionaire Gina Rinehart, he vowed to make the political consequences significant.