Opinion

Peter Hartcher Political and international editor

September 12, 2026 — 5:00am

September 12, 2026 — 5:00am

Save

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

A A A

On the face of it, Andrew Hastie’s confrontation with Pauline Hanson is an entertaining personal dispute over an animated cartoon. But it runs much deeper. This week it arrived as a stark test of Australian politics. Unexpectedly, it’s also presenting a clarifying moment for Australian society.

First principles here. Why would One Nation bother taunting the Liberal frontbencher as a “traitor” in a cartoon spoof?

Hanson repeatedly…

Read the full article at SMH.COM.AU