Hanson's overreach on Hastie kicks Liberals into gear
A political feud has erupted between One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie over animated cartoons and past allegations. The conflict is impacting both parties' political strategies as they compete for influence in Western Australia.
Why it matters
The escalation of this personal and political rivalry highlights the volatile nature of Australian domestic politics and the influence of social media-driven political messaging.
Pauline Hanson's animated cartoons, edgy and popular, have been among One Nation's savviest political tactics. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts )
Link copied Share Share article Pauline Hanson declared in a recent News24 documentary: "I don't back down."
This week, Ms Hanson and her party followed through with two high-risk demonstrations, heels firmly dug in.
In the face of demands from Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, Ms Hanson refused to withdraw one of her Please Explain animated cartoons that depicts (in multiple mentions) the decorated former soldier as a "traitor".
On a very different front, One Nation is toughing out a controversy around Warren Pickering, its leader for the November Victorian election, after his admissions — following allegations from his former partner — of extensive drug use as a young man.
The battle with Mr Hastie is highly consequential not only for One Nation, but also for the Liberal Party.
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