‘This disrespects every veteran’: One Nation facing criticism over controversial “traitor” video

0:00I mentioned a spat which is developed between Andrew Hastie, he's a West Australian Liberal MP, former member of the SAS, fought with distinction, I believe, in Afghanistan. Andrew Hastie testified against Ben Roberts Smith at his civil trial, Ben Roberts Smith also being a member of the SAS. And some people say he broke some code, some warriors code by doing this. One nation often puts out these often funny little animated videos, and he's a bit of one that deals with Andrew Hastie. Prime Minister, you've got to help me. Andrew Hastie, you okay? No, I'm in grave danger. I'm under attack. I'm lying. Ha, not another one. Trader? Why are they calling you a traitor? Not a thing. All I did was testify against Ben Roberts Smith and support your evil hate speech legislation after promising not to. Yeah, right. That is pretty traitorous, actually. All right, and another Fiddle MP,

1:01Tasmania's Jackie Lamby, who herself, I think, was a member of the ADF, had this to say on ABC Radio National. I love Andrew to death, and he doesn't attack on a veteran. What she's doing in those cartoons is absolutely disgusting. They are, they are full of bloody violence. I mean, how people can watch that rubbish is beyond me, but attacking Andrew Hastie, a veteran that is served in an Afghanistan war or any other veteran is the lowest ever you can possibly do. That woman is nothing less than a bloody coward. So together, it's Jackie Lamby accusing Pauline Hans of the being quite a quite a bloody coward. And excuse is the National Prison to the RSL? Peter Tinley, good morning. I get it, mate. Thanks for having me on. Well, thank you for joining us. So is this an attack on a veteran or is this just part of the cut and thrust of politics? I mean, Andrew Hastie was a member of the SIS, but now he's a Fiddle MP and Pauline Hanson runs a party and Jackie Lamby's another MP. Is this just politicians having the normal go at each other? No, this is not, and it's not, it is unusual for the RSL to, to, to,

2:09Peter's trucked out, we're getting back on the moment. One of the three, six times three, I, it is difficult, because as I said, Andrew Hastie testified against Ben Robert Smith. And some people say that's, that's like dobbling, but it's a lot worse. It's been Robert Smith has accused of war crimes. All right, Peter Tinley, I think is back with us. You there, Peter? Yes, I am, mate. Yes, so when you cut out, you were saying that it's unusual for the RSL to get involved in this sort of thing? Yeah, we don't, now if I had to, if I had to umpire fights between politicians every day, I wouldn't get my day's job done. So it is unusual, but we think this is a, this is time now to actually draw a line under this. This disrespects every veteran. It's a, it's a very high bar. When you want to call somebody a traitor who's worn the uniform of this country, and still continues to give public service in the parliament. We have a, we have a fair chopper politicians, I get it. I've been one myself in the past, and,

3:10and that comes with the game, but it's actually public service and we should respect the fact that they are giving up a lot of their time to do a role. Andrew Hastie has doubled down. I've known the guy for over 20 years. He's not necessarily from my political ilk, but that doesn't mean he doesn't get my support, because of my, the support I bring is that of the RSL and 580,000 veterans in Australia. Okay, the only thing is I've been contacted by veterans who are really upset at Andrew Hastie because they feel that he shouldn't have testified against Ben Robert Smith. Also, a former member of the SAS. Your thoughts? This country has pillars that support its democracy. The rule of law is one of the fundamental pillars that supports the democracy. That's what we actually fight for. That's what you join the Defence Force for and go away and do what your country says. If we are going to be really true to that, that ideal, then we just have to let the system do its take its course. Now, the RSL has said that this has been a complete cock-up in terms of

4:12the time it's taken. It is not swift justice. However, justice needs to be served. Ben Robert Smith is a veteran. I will stand and support Ben Robert Smith every day of the week because he's a veteran. I won't get in the way of the normal court proceedings that any one of us are subject to. Okay, going back to the One Nation video, I believe either early this morning or late last night, Deputy One Nation leader Barnaby Joyce, apologise to Andrew Hastie. Is that the end of the matter? No, I think leaders lead. Pauline Hanson is the leader of the party. I would ask her to consider comments in the future and consider veterans who have served in this country. And their fence that she creates by actually calling a veteran. One of our tribe, a traitor. That's a massive insult. Yeah, it is. All right, look, thank you for your time. Peter Tindley, their national president of the RSL. As I said, it's complicated because there are some veterans,

5:12probably maybe a minority, I don't really know, but I've been contacted by some who weren't happy with that Andrew Hastie testified against fellow SAS member Ben Robert Smith. So there's that. Yes, Andrew Hastie was a soldier, but now he's a politician and politician say nasty things about each other all the time. But it's pretty tindley just said, using the term traitor to a current or former member of the defence force is a particularly harsh insult.