Andrew Hastie is effective in attacking One Nation, unlike his Liberal colleagues. So why won’t they use him? | Tom McIlroy
Guardian AU
•Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:00:39 GMT
📰 What Happened
Federal Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie maintained a notably quiet presence in question time this week, barely speaking even as colleagues pursued Labor over the $1tn national debt, veterans' healthcare funding caps and rising rental prices. The former soldier and member for Canning sits just behind opposition leader Angus Taylor, his putative leadership rival, and has stood up to Pauline Hanson, risked the wrath of Gina Rinehart and criticised WA opposition tactics. Even Anthony Albanese pointedly asked when Hastie would next ask a question, joking it had been six months.
🔍 The Backstory
Hastie has a military and national-security background and has been effective in attacking One Nation, something his Liberal colleagues have struggled to do. His quiet period follows months of speculation about Liberal leadership dynamics and positioning ahead of a possible change.
🎯 Why It Matters
Hastie's unusual silence and his record confronting One Nation raise questions about his ambitions and the internal dynamics of the Liberal leadership. How the opposition deploys its most effective critics matters for the coming federal election campaign.
Federal Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie maintained a notably quiet presence in question time this week, barely speaking even as colleagues pursued Labor over the $1tn national debt, veterans' healthcare funding caps and rising rental prices. The former soldier and member for Canning sits just behind opposition leader Angus Taylor, his putative leadership rival, and has stood up to Pauline Hanson, risked the wrath of Gina Rinehart and criticised WA opposition tactics. Even Anthony Albanese pointedly asked when Hastie would next ask a question, joking it had been six months.
Hastie has a military and national-security background and has been effective in attacking One Nation, something his Liberal colleagues have struggled to do. His quiet period follows months of speculation about Liberal leadership dynamics and positioning ahead of a possible change.
Hastie's unusual silence and his record confronting One Nation raise questions about his ambitions and the internal dynamics of the Liberal leadership. How the opposition deploys its most effective critics matters for the coming federal election campaign.