Tony Abbott says it would be ‘right’ for One Nation to remove cartoon labelling Andrew Hastie a ‘traitor’
News Source
•Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:34:25 GMT
📰 What Happened
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called on One Nation to remove a cartoon that calls Andrew Hastie a traitor. Abbott is the federal president of the Liberal party. He said if it was right for the ABC to apologise to Gina Rinehart, it is right for One Nation to do the same.
Senior Liberals, independent senator Jacqui Lambie and RSL Australia all criticised the cartoon. Opposition leader Angus Taylor also asked for it to be taken down. The cartoon was posted in late July.
🔍 The Backstory
The cartoon shows Hastie as a weak leader tricked by Anthony Albanese. It repeats the word traitor, linked to Hastie's court evidence against Ben Roberts-Smith. RSL Australia said the word is very offensive to veterans. It said it sends a harmful message about service.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said he does not think Hastie is a traitor. But he said he would not take the cartoon down. Hanson has described the whole row as a storm in a teacup.
🎯 Why It Matters
The row is about respect for veterans and how far political attacks should go. It also shows how One Nation and the Liberals are fighting for the same voters.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called on One Nation to remove a cartoon that calls Andrew Hastie a traitor. Abbott is the federal president of the Liberal party. He said if it was right for the ABC to apologise to Gina Rinehart, it is right for One Nation to do the same.
Senior Liberals, independent senator Jacqui Lambie and RSL Australia all criticised the cartoon. Opposition leader Angus Taylor also asked for it to be taken down. The cartoon was posted in late July.
The cartoon shows Hastie as a weak leader tricked by Anthony Albanese. It repeats the word traitor, linked to Hastie's court evidence against Ben Roberts-Smith. RSL Australia said the word is very offensive to veterans. It said it sends a harmful message about service.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said he does not think Hastie is a traitor. But he said he would not take the cartoon down. Hanson has described the whole row as a storm in a teacup.
The row is about respect for veterans and how far political attacks should go. It also shows how One Nation and the Liberals are fighting for the same voters.