Andrew Hastie is effective in attacking One Nation, unlike his Liberal colleagues. So why won’t they use him?

‘The former soldier sits just behind the opposition leader – and his putative leadership rival – Angus Taylor,’ writes Tom McIlroy. ‘Despite his silence in question time, Hastie has a bit going on.’ Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Amid the sometimes raucous scenes of question time in federal parliament this week, Andrew Hastie maintained a dignified silence.

The Liberal frontbencher barely spoke, even as his colleagues pursued Labor over Australia’s newly minted $1tn national debt, controversial caps on veterans’ healthcare funding, and rising rental prices around the country.