Andrew Hastie ready for One Nation’s ‘dirty and nasty’ Canning campaign

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has branded One Nation’s efforts to unseat him “dirty and nasty” as the populist minor party gears up to contest every race at the next federal election.

One Nation earlier this month launched a branch in Mr Hastie’s West Australian seat of Canning.

It is the first non-Labor electorate One Nation has targeted in the state.

But the bid has taken a particularly personal twist, with leader Pauline Hanson criticising Mr Hastie, a special forces veteran, for deciding to testify in a war-crimes case against Victorian Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.

She has praised Mr Roberts-Smith, who denies all allegations against him, as a “war hero” who has her “respect” and admiration.

“I love pressure … I wouldn’t be in this job if I didn’t. I also love a fight,” he told ABC’s RN.

“Will it be a tough fight? Absolutely. Is it dirty and nasty? Yes it is.”

Mr Hastie has accused Senator Hanson and her chief of staff James Ashby of running “a relentless campaign of personal attacks against me online”.

The ensuing flood of threats against him prompted Home Affairs to beef up security at his home and electorate office.

Mr Hastie said despite “some pretty strong messages sent to me, to my staff”, he would not be deterred.

“I love my community. I live there and I’ve got plenty of work to do in the parliament.”

One Nation’s move on Canning is part of making good on Senator Hanson’s pledge to open branches in every federal electorate ahead of the 2028 national vote.

Originally published as Andrew Hastie ready for One Nation’s ‘dirty and nasty’ Canning campaign