Senator Jacqui Lambie has sharply criticized One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over a contentious animated cartoon shared on social media, which labeled Liberal frontbencher and former SAS soldier Andrew Hastie a “traitor.” The cartoon refers to Hastie’s testimony against Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith during his unsuccessful defamation case.
Lambie, a crossbench senator and army veteran, called on Hanson to remove the video and condemned the attack on Hastie as “disgusting,” accusing Hanson of exhibiting “true colours” and describing her as an “angry little woman” and a “bloody coward.” Lambie said the cartoon’s portrayal of Hastie, who served in Afghanistan, was a “lowest ebb” and warned veterans against supporting One Nation.
The dispute escalated on Thursday after Hastie demanded Hanson and National Party defector Barnaby Joyce assume responsibility for the video, indicating he planned to respond politically rather than legally. Hastie ruled out legal action due to Hanson’s financial backing from billionaire Gina Rinehart but promised to impose “costs politically.” He criticized Hanson as “weak and glass-jawed” for refusing to publicly own or remove the content.
Hanson has denied personally calling Hastie a coward but did not retract the cartoon, which she shared on her official social media platforms. When questioned, she suggested using a different insult instead. Gina Rinehart has supported Hanson’s position, arguing Roberts-Smith is being unfairly targeted in relation to war crime allegations dating from his military service between 2009 and 2012.
The controversy has drawn condemnation from senior Liberal figures and veterans’ groups. Opposition leader Angus Taylor called for the removal of the cartoon, emphasizing Hastie’s distinguished military service. Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson criticized Hanson and her strategist James Ashby, stating they should be ashamed of accusing a decorated veteran like Hastie of treason.
RSL Australia described the label “traitor” as a damaging slur that undermines the honor of all veterans, warning that politicizing military service in this way crosses a line from political debate into personal attack. Greens Senator David Shoebridge also denounced the cartoon, condemning any political party that supports denigrating a politician for giving honest testimony under oath, regardless of policy disagreements.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within Australian politics over military service, political loyalty, and the legacy of the Roberts-Smith defamation proceedings. Hastie’s defenders stress the importance of upholding high standards of conduct for Australian soldiers, while Hanson and her supporters argue that Roberts-Smith’s reputation is being unjustly maligned in public discourse.