Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has labelled Pauline Hanson “MAGA first” after the One Nation leader backed President Trump’s war in Iran.
Asked on the Inside Politics podcast if the US’ war effort could be classed as a success, Hanson declined to criticise any element of Trump’s strategy – despite widespread belief that the US has failed to meet any of its targets during its 101-day war effort.
Hanson said the conflict was ongoing, suggesting the war could be branded a success “if we can get the Strait of Hormuz open, and we get the oil supply”.
“I think it would be more detrimental to the world if they were allowed to have [nuclear] weaponry,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Hanson has previously suggested Australia should join the war to help bring it to an end.
Hastie fiercely decried Ms Hanson’s comments on Monday, telling the outlet that it was “not controversial” to say Trump’s war had not gone to plan.
“Pauline Hanson’s problem is that she is MAGA [make America great again] first, even when the Australian people suffer the economic consequences,” he told the publication.
“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.
“The US is a close ally, but we should always be frank with our friends, and speak up for the national interest.”
Hastie, who is widely touted to be the next Liberal leader, has been outspoken in his criticism against the war, branding it a “huge miscalculation” earlier this year.
The MP hit out at the US’ failure to consult allies, and warned that US credibility and support for an alliance with the US was being damaged.
Hanson’s ties to Trump’s MAGA movement
In November last year, Hanson travelled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to speak at a conservative conference.
The Queensland Senator flew on board Gina Rinehart’s private jet, and the pair enjoyed a lavish stay at the mining magnate’s Palm Beach mansion.
During the multi-day event run by the Conservative Political Action Conference, Hanson slammed both major parties in Australia while praising the US administration for deporting immigrants, bombing drug cartel boats and supercharging mining projects.
Hanson’s speech covered a range of controversial issues she has espoused over her political career, including claims against “mass migration”, climate change, Indigenous rights and gender expression.
“I love how your president has green-lit the US military to blow up drug cartel boats,” she told the crowd.
“Australia, on the other hand, has become an economic and social tinderbox that was created by successive Labor and Coalition governments.”
In March, Hanson praised Trump’s effort in Iran saying: “I support what Trump’s done, he’s liberated the people [of Iran].”
The US has not achieved many of its targets in Iran, most notably: the reopening of the Strait, the unclear future of Iran’s nuclear program and a regime change.
However, Hanson’s unyielding support for the US President, and subsequently his war against Iran, poses the biggest risk to the growing popularity of One Nation, a new poll has found.
This is largely due to Trump’s unpopularity among Australian voters, the vast majority of which hold him responsible for soaring fuel prices.
The poll showed 72 per cent of voters disapproved of Trump and just 14 per cent approved, giving him a net favourability of minus-58 per cent.
Among One Nation voters, he had a net favourability of minus-18 per cent.
During the Inside Politics podcast, Hanson was asked about matters where Trump had misstepped, but instead took the moment to praise the president.
“Well, there are certain things that I totally agree with,” she said.
“He’s looking after the women and doesn’t allow men in their spaces. He’s pulled back on the immigration. He’s actually created investment in his country.”
