Sep 10, 2026Politics125 words1 min read

Australian Politicians Support Hastie in Row With Hanson Over Cartoon

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Politicians in Australia had a big argument this week.

The argument was between Pauline Hanson and Andrew Hastie.

Hanson shared a cartoon that called Hastie a traitor.

Hastie is a member of the Liberal Party.

Hanson leads a party called One Nation.

Many politicians from different parties supported Hastie.

These politicians came from the crossbench, the Liberal Party, and the Greens.

They said Hanson's cartoon was not fair.

At the same time, the Labor government talked about new laws.

The new laws are about illegal tobacco.

Illegal tobacco is tobacco sold without following the law.

Labor wants to stop criminals who sell it.

This illegal trade has grown very fast in Australia.

The government wants to make it easier to punish these criminals.

Vocabulary3 words

cartoon: a funny or critical drawing, often about news or people
traitor: someone who is not loyal to their country or group
crossbench: politicians who are not part of the government or the main opposition

1. Who did Pauline Hanson call a 'traitor' in a cartoon?

2. Which groups supported Hastie?

3. What new laws is Labor introducing?

1. Andrew Hastie 2. Crossbench, Liberal, and Greens politicians 3. Laws about illegal tobacco

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Politicians in Australia had a big _____ this week.

The argument was between Pauline Hanson and Andrew _____.

Hanson shared a _____ that called Hastie a traitor.

Hastie is a member of the _____ Party.

Hanson leads a party called One _____.

Many politicians from different parties _____ Hastie.

These politicians came from the crossbench, the Liberal Party, and the _____.

At the same time, the Labor government talked about new _____.

The new laws are about illegal _____.

Labor wants to stop _____ who sell it.