Liberal shadow minister Andrew Hastie has intensified tensions with Pauline Hanson by accusing the One Nation leader of putting the US political movement Maga ahead of Australia’s national interests.
Speaking after comments Hanson made about the conflict involving the United States and Iran, Hastie said Australia’s first responsibility must always be to its own people.
“Our first loyalty must be to the Australian people. Not to international institutions, not to ideology like Maga – but to the Australian people, first and foremost,” Hastie said.
He also argued Australia should maintain an honest relationship with the United States, even as a close ally.
“The United States is a close ally but we should always be frank with our friends, and speak up for the national interest. The truth is that President Trump’s war in Iran hasn’t gone to plan. That’s not controversial to say that,” he said.
Hastie’s criticism followed comments Hanson made on a Nine newspapers podcast, where she suggested the US military action against Iran would be successful if it helped reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure oil supplies.
Responding directly to Hanson, Hastie said: “Pauline Hanson’s problem is that she is Maga first, even when the Australian people suffer the economic consequences.”
Hanson has long expressed support for US President Donald Trump. She attended events at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort alongside Gina Rinehart and celebrated Trump’s 2016 election victory, saying at the time that she saw similarities between Trump’s political approach and her own.
Do you agree with Andrew Hastie that Pauline Hanson is putting Maga ahead of Australia’s interests?