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Liberal MP Andrew Hastie insists he did not meet ‘abhorrent’ extremist at Perth rally

Mr Hastie has cited the example of Nazi Germany in his warnings about China.

Mr Hastie has cited the example of Nazi Germany in his warnings about China. Photo: AAP

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has attacked “abhorrent” far-right extremist Neil Erikson for making “false and defamatory” comments over claims the pair met at a Perth rally.

The former SAS soldier said on Tuesday night he was disgusted to be linked to the far-right activist, after Erikson released a video on Facebook making a string of false claims.

But Labor insisted Mr Hastie and another Liberal MP Ian Goodenough had questions to answer.

A convicted racist, Erikson was ordered to pay $10,000 if he uploaded any more content featuring his former employer, Toll Transport last year.

It followed a video he released where he confronted former Labor senator Sam Dastyari in a pub and called him a a “terrorist” and a “monkey,” while he was wearing a Toll uniform.

Neil Erikson wore a Toll vest to court.

The issue escalated on Tuesday after Mr Hastie refused to answer questions during a press conference with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

When asked “Have you ever met Neil Erikson?” Mr Hastie responded: “I don’t answer defamatory questions and I won’t get involved.”

But after the press conference, Mr Goodenough revealed he believed he may have met Erikson at the rally for South African farmers but did not know who he was at the time.

But Mr Hastie told The New Daily, “I hate Nazis,” and said he did not believe he had actually even met Erikson at the rally.

“In Perth last year, I attended a rally – along with thousands of other West Australians – in support of South African farmers fleeing from the threat of violence,” Mr Hastie said.

“I have never sought to, nor agreed to, meet with Mr Erikson. I’m confident that I did not encounter him on the day. I find his views abhorrent and his views should not be given a platform.

“There were false and defamatory claims made in an online video posted by Mr Erikson which I totally reject. This video has since been removed by Google and I thank them for this.”

Mr Goodenough said a man he now believes was Erikson approached him at the Perth rally but he did not know who he was.

“A guy whose identity we did not know at the time who was dressed like a rapper approached me from the crowd with followers carrying a video camera,” he said.

“We had a brief encounter but did not discuss or agree to anything. As politicians it is usual for strangers to approach us. We did not have a meeting.”

Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said Mr Morrison needed to get to the bottom of the Liberal MPs contact with Erikson.

“Only today Mr Hastie avoided a question about this at his press conference – he’s literally been running away from telling the truth,” Mr Dreyfus said.

“It is now incumbent on Scott Morrison to enforce some standards in his party, and force Mr Hastie and Mr Goodenough to tell the whole truth about what they have been up to.”

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