Liberal shadow minister Andrew Hastie has accused One Nation leader Pauline Hanson of prioritising American interests over Australian ones, intensifying a rift between the two conservative parties. In comments made to Nine newspapers, Hastie said Hanson's loyalty to former US President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (Maga) slogan came before the welfare of Australians.
Hastie urged Australia to be 'frank' with the United States, arguing that Trump's war in Iran had not gone to plan and that Australians were suffering economic consequences. '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,' he said.
Hanson has previously attended events at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort with mining magnate Gina Rinehart and celebrated Trump's 2016 election win, saying she saw similarities between herself and the former president. Hastie's comments come as new polling shows One Nation's popularity surging, with voters appearing to abandon major parties.
In other political developments, former prime minister Julia Gillard issued a rare comment after a Melbourne brothel owner admitted funding 'Ditch the Witch' billboards targeting Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the billboards, and Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson also criticised them.
Meanwhile, Clive Palmer, in an interview on ABC's Afternoon Briefing, declined to back Hanson's campaign supporting former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, who has been charged with war crimes. Palmer said the matter should be left to the courts, emphasising the presumption of innocence and a fair hearing.
