The stubborn refusal by One Nation to remove a grubby animated cartoon labelling federal member Andrew Hastie a coward and a traitor has drawn a stark line between personal integrity and cheap political populism. Pauline Hanson and her party have deliberately taken political discourse to a new low. They continue doubling down on an offensive social media post that maliciously attacks a decorated military veteran simply for giving sworn evidence in a court of law.
Andrew Hastie did his duty when he proudly wore the uniform of the Special Air Service Regiment. He continues to do his duty serving his country within the halls of Federal Parliament. Crucially, he did his duty when he stepped forward and testified for the defence during the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial. If called upon to testify again in future proceedings, Hastie will almost certainly answer that call.
This controversy extends far beyond any personal issues between Hastie and Roberts-Smith. The fundamental issue now remains accountability. The allegations surrounding Roberts-Smith are serious and credible. They demand forensic examination. Those soldiers required to take the stand deserve respect, not vilification. To defend Hastie in this moment is to defend all who serve in and uphold the core values of the Australian Defence Force.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie captured the national mood perfectly. While her rough-and-ready mode of expression often sparks debate, Lambie nailed the situation. She rightly observed that Hanson would not last a minute in a military uniform. Lambie cut through the noise, cleverly positioning Hanson directly against every single veteran in the country. Unlike the One Nation leader, Lambie and Hastie speak with the authority of genuine military service. Hanson's vindictive and cowardly stance is its antithesis.
The hypocrisy is staggering. Conservative veteran communities, some of whom previously jumped on the Hanson bandwagon, must watch carefully to see how this spectacle plays out. They should also note the glaring double standards at play.
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart, a financial backer of both Roberts-Smith and One Nation, recently demanded the removal of puerile satire broadcast by the ABC. Yet, that same standard appears absent regarding this One Nation cartoon.
Hanson herself once launched legal action over a satirical song, further exposing the hollow nature of her current defence that the Hastie video is a joke.
By clinging to this bitter and calculated attack, Hanson reveals a profound lack of respect for the very institutions Hastie sought to protect.
The attack politicises a legal process and trashes the service records of more than 20 combat veterans who also gave difficult evidence in the Federal Court. To casually label these dedicated individuals as traitors for telling the truth is a disgraceful tactic designed only to divide the nation.
One Nation's Barnaby Joyce has spent recent days awkwardly scrambling in reverse. His earlier failure to immediately and forcefully condemn the attack speaks volumes about political priorities.
The Australian public deserves leaders who respect military sacrifice rather than treating it as mere fodder for partisan point-scoring.
The message for any voter considering supporting Hanson, Joyce and their conservative allies at the ballot box is clear.
When a political movement shows willingness to sacrifice the hard-earned reputation of a veteran called to do their public duty to score cheap points, voters must take note.
As the adage famously warns: when somebody tells you who they are, believe them. One Nation just did exactly that.
