From Pauline with love? Putin finds new admirers down under

Plus Cory Bernardi washes his hands of Malcolm Turnbull’s coming crucifixion

Pauline Hanson has a new pin-up: Vladimir Putin. Nine’s Today show, Monday:

I quite like him. I’ve got no problems with Vladimir.

And what a hunk that Russian bad boy is. Los Angeles Times, yesterday:

In the 16 years Putin has been either president or prime minister, several Russian opposition leaders, human rights activists, journalists and whistleblowers were assassinated or died under suspicious circumstances.

Pauline will have to get in line. Vlad has a hot French girlfriend. The Independent, yesterday:

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Crimea “has always been Russian” in a series of astonishing claims that defy the evidence that Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Ms Le Pen also called for sanctions against the Kremlin to be removed, calling them “completely stupid” and the cause of “major problems for the EU”.

And all the guys worship him. Nationals MP George Christensen on Twitter, Sunday:

I think Russia is demonised unfairly. What threat do they cause us or the West?

But no funny business. The New York Times, July 21, 2013:

Mr Putin signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they suspect of being homosexual, lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up to 14 days ...

George’s parents have told him to stay away from that boy. The Australian website, Monday:

Queensland LNP backbencher ­George Christensen has retreated from a series of tweets disputing Russian links to the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

A reminder to George about MH17. AAP, July 17, 2015:

There were 41 Australian citizens and residents among the 298 passengers and crew killed when flight MH17 exploded over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.

Maybe Putin will ride by Australia again in his warship and leather jacket. The Sydney Morning Herald, November 12, 2014:

Russia has sent a fleet of warships towards Australia in an apparent display of muscle-flexing ahead of the G20 meeting amid tensions between the two countries over the MH17 crash.

Defence announced late on Wednesday it is “monitoring Russian naval vessels that are currently transiting through international waters to the north of Australia”.

Hey Pauline, Fox News knows how to get that KGB babe’s attention. Reuters, yesterday:

The Kremlin said on Monday it wanted an apology from Fox News over what it said were “unacceptable comments” made about Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with US counterpart Donald Trump. Fox News host Bill O’Reilly described Putin as “a killer” ...

And Cory Bernardi is washing his hands of the Prime Minister’s potential downfall. The Sydney Morning Herald, yesterday:

Senator Bernardi warned Mr Turnbull that moves were afoot to displace him ... “There’s talk about doing it again and I want no part of it,” Senator Bernardi told Mr Turnbull, according to colleagues.

Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has some spiritual advice for Senator Pontius Pilate, AAP, yesterday:

Pray. Pray hard.