Arabic version: انقسامات ليبرالية تتكشف بشأن صدام هاستي مع هانسون

According to The Guardian, Andrew Hastie expected his attacks on Pauline Hanson to carry political costs, with Liberal colleagues divided over how forcefully to respond to One Nation’s criticism of him.

The Western Australian MP had told colleagues in mid-June that he would “rather get taken out in a box than bend the knee to One Nation”. The dispute intensified after a One Nation cartoon, shared by Hanson, accused Hastie of betraying his country by giving evidence against Ben Roberts-Smith in a defamation case. Hastie was compelled to appear as a witness by subpoena, Malcolm Turnbull said.

Senior Liberal sources said Hastie understood that confronting Hanson could weaken his support among parts of the party membership and among people who believe Roberts-Smith was treated unfairly. While most Liberal MPs rallied behind him, insiders said there was no consensus within the party on Roberts-Smith or on the best way to counter One Nation’s rise in the polls.

Angus Taylor called for the cartoon to be removed but did not personally attack Hanson. Tony Abbott said it would be right for One Nation to remove the video. Turnbull said Hastie deserved “absolute 100% solidarity”, describing the treason accusation as “outrageous”. Jacqui Lambie called Hanson an “angry little woman” and a “bloody coward” over the video, while Nationals leader Matt Canavan said One Nation had gone “too far” but preferred respectful criticism.

Andrew Bragg said Hastie had done the right thing by responding to what he called “pathetic, unpatriotic attacks”, and Jane Hume said “enough is enough”. Other Liberals warned that sustained personal attacks on Hanson could strengthen her support by portraying her as a target of the political establishment. Some party figures said the confrontation was better resolved now than closer to an election.