Andrew Hastie knew taking on Pauline Hanson would cost him. Liberals are divided over the price of following suit

Andrew Hastie knew that attacking Pauline Hanson would cost him support. The Liberal frontbencher had been under fire from One Nation for months. In mid-June he told colleagues he would rather be taken out in a box than give in to One Nation. Then Hanson shared a cartoon that called him a traitor. Hastie has hit back hard. He called Hanson weak and glass-jawed for not saying the word herself. Liberals are split on the fight. Some back him. Others worry his attacks will make Hanson look like a victim and win her more votes.

Hastie gave evidence against Ben Roberts-Smith in a failed defamation case. He was ordered to appear in court. One Nation used this to call him a traitor. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says this is outrageous. He says Hastie was unfairly targeted. Some Liberals think newspapers and big donors linked to Roberts-Smith are helping One Nation. They name Gina Rinehart and Kerry Stokes. Others want the fight to happen now, well before the next election.

The split shows how hard it is for the Liberals to deal with One Nation. Voters will see whether the party stands up to Hanson or stays quiet.