Sep 10, 2026Politics192 words1 min read

Australian Politicians Support Hastie in Row With Hanson Over Cartoon

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A heated political argument has broken out in Australia between One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Liberal MP Andrew Hastie.

The dispute started after Hanson shared a cartoon calling Hastie a "traitor."

Politicians from several different political groups have since spoken out in support of Hastie.

Support came from crossbench members, as well as politicians from the Liberal Party and the Greens.

These politicians criticised Hanson's cartoon and defended Hastie against the accusation.

The fight has become one of the main political stories of the day in Australia.

Meanwhile, the Labor government has announced plans to introduce new laws targeting illegal tobacco.

The laws aim to make it easier for authorities to prosecute criminals involved in the illicit tobacco trade.

Labor says it is fighting an uphill battle against a growing black market for tobacco.

The illegal tobacco trade in Australia has been expanding quickly, creating problems for law enforcement.

By strengthening the legal tools available, the government hopes to better tackle organised crime linked to the trade.

Both stories were part of a wider day of political news, which also touched on trade, diplomacy, and party politics in Australia.

Vocabulary6 words

cartoon: a drawing, often funny or critical, used to comment on news or people
traitor: a person who betrays their country, group, or party
crossbench: politicians who do not belong to the government or the main opposition party
prosecute: to take legal action against someone in court
black market: illegal buying and selling of goods, outside official trade rules
illicit: not allowed by law

1. What started the argument between Hanson and Hastie?

2. Which groups supported Hastie in the dispute?

3. Why is Labor introducing new laws on tobacco?

1. A cartoon calling Hastie a traitor 2. Crossbench, Liberal, and Greens politicians 3. To make it easier to prosecute illegal tobacco criminals

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

A heated political argument has broken out in Australia between One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Liberal MP Andrew _____.

The dispute started after Hanson shared a _____ calling Hastie a "traitor."

Politicians from several different political groups have since spoken out in _____ of Hastie.

Support came from _____ members, as well as politicians from the Liberal Party and the Greens.

These politicians criticised Hanson's cartoon and _____ Hastie against the accusation.

Meanwhile, the Labor government has announced plans to introduce new laws targeting illegal _____.

The laws aim to make it easier for authorities to _____ criminals involved in the illicit tobacco trade.

Labor says it is fighting an uphill battle against a growing _____ for tobacco.

The illegal tobacco trade in Australia has been _____ quickly, creating problems for law enforcement.

By strengthening the legal tools available, the government hopes to better tackle organised _____ linked to the trade.