In Australia, MP Hastie vows to continue conflict with Hanson
In Australia, Liberal Party MP Andrew Hastie said he would continue his confrontation with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. As The Guardian reports, the politician said he would not back down after Hanson refused to remove an animated video in which he was called a traitor.
Dispute over the video
Hastie again sharply criticized Hanson and said she could have admitted her mistake and removed the video, but refused to do so and hardened her position. According to him, it was Hanson who started the conflict, which he intends to win.
The MP also said he had previously tried to build a relationship with Hanson, but now believes she is not the person he had imagined her to be. Hastie explained that he decided to draw a line in response to the video because, in his view, his opponents could have perceived him as weak.
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Barnaby Joyce's response
Hastie suggested that One Nation MPs Barnaby Joyce and David Farley may regret joining the party. He said the party is centered around Hanson, while Joyce is allegedly regularly forced to deal with the consequences of her actions. Hastie also said he felt sorry for Joyce, who left the party in which he had twice served as deputy prime minister.
Joyce rejected suggestions that he was disappointed with his One Nation membership. He said he was concerned about the Coalition's weakness and indecisiveness, and that he joined One Nation because he believed the political status quo had become lazy and weak. Farley was approached for comment.
For several months, One Nation has been politically attacking Hastie and has announced its intention to contest his federal electorate of Canning in Western Australia. Hastie also rejected Hanson's claim that the dispute was meant to strengthen his leadership prospects and stressed his support for Liberal leader Angus Taylor.
