Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has vowed to respond fiercely to allegations from Pauline Hanson and One Nation accusing him of being a “traitor” to Australia, warning that any legal action would be a “costly” endeavor for his critics. Hastie’s comments come amid a heated dispute linked to his involvement in a high-profile defamation case involving former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith.
Hastie, who served as a captain in the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), gave evidence in the defamation proceedings brought by Roberts-Smith against several Nine newspapers. Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, now faces criminal charges over alleged war crimes during his service in Afghanistan. One Nation and its prominent backer, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, have argued that Roberts-Smith is being unfairly targeted.
In a message to supporters on Tuesday, Hastie said he would no longer tolerate what he described as slanderous attacks from One Nation, accusing the party’s leadership, including Hanson and strategist James Ashby, of conducting a campaign to unseat him during the next federal election. Hastie said he complied with the subpoena to provide evidence out of respect for the rule of law, despite personal cost.
“People I trusted have walked away from me or failed to defend me,” Hastie wrote, condemning the vitriol directed at him, including being labeled a “rat” and a “traitor.” He underscored his military service and sacrifices, noting his two combat deployments to Afghanistan and the personal risks involved.
Hastie criticized One Nation for what he sees as a failure to support standards of conduct within the Australian Defence Force and dismissed attacks on his service record as coming from “cowards” who have never served. He further threatened legal action, asserting that any efforts by Hanson or Ashby to pursue him politically or legally would be an expensive and protracted battle.
The Liberal MP also disclosed he has faced threats against himself and his family, prompting the federal government to increase security around his home and office earlier this year.
One Nation recently secured a victory in the Western Australian state by-election for the seat of Secret Harbour, which overlaps with Hastie’s federal electorate of Canning. The party has indicated plans to mount a strong campaign in Canning ahead of the 2028 federal election.
Hastie is viewed within the Liberal Party as a potential leadership contender and an alternative to current opposition leader Angus Taylor, though he chose not to challenge Taylor in a recent leadership contest. A forthcoming reshuffle of the opposition frontbench, following the expected retirement of shadow home affairs minister Jonno Duniam, may further shift internal dynamics.
Taylor condemned One Nation on Tuesday, branding the party “unfit to govern the country” and pointing to concerns about its Victorian leader, Warren Pickering. Pickering has recently faced allegations from a former partner regarding a history of heavy drug use, which Hanson dismissed. She stated that Pickering denied the claims and affirmed her support for him as party leader in Victoria.