Australian MP Hastie threatens One Nation with a ‘costly’ fight
In Australia, Liberal Party MP Andrew Hastie said he is prepared for a “costly” fight with Pauline Hanson and One Nation director James Ashby over insults and claims that he allegedly betrayed the country. The politician called his critics cowards who, in his view, do not believe in the rule of law, The Guardian reports.
In a letter to supporters, Hastie said that One Nation is trying to remove him from office at the next election because of his testimony in Ben Roberts-Smith’s unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against Nine publications. According to the MP, he complied with a subpoena to avoid punishment for contempt of court and gave evidence under oath.
Possible legal action
Hastie said that afterward he was called, among other things, a rat and a traitor, while some people he trusted stopped supporting him or did not defend him. He also raised the possibility of legal action against Hanson and Ashby.
The MP wrote that if Hanson and Ashby campaign against him, he will make it costly in terms of time, money and political capital.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The Roberts-Smith case
Hastie, who served as an SAS captain and took part in combat operations in Afghanistan twice, defended his military record. He criticised Hanson and One Nation for, in his view, not supporting efforts to ensure Australian troops maintain high standards of conduct on the battlefield.
Ben Roberts-Smith, who was awarded the Victoria Cross, was charged in a case related to allegations of war crimes during his service in Afghanistan. One Nation and billionaire Gina Rinehart, who supports the party, say he is being unfairly persecuted.
Hastie had previously spoken publicly about a campaign of threats and insults directed at him and his family. Australia’s federal government increased security at his home and office this year. One Nation won a by-election in the Western Australian electorate of Secret Harbour, which partly overlaps with Hastie’s federal electorate of Canning, and plans to campaign actively there in the 2028 federal election.
