Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes launches extraordinary public attack on his old mate Peter FitzSimons - after being ghosted

Published: 04:39, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 04:50, 14 July 2026 Comedian Dave Hughes has publicly accused Peter FitzSimons of ghosting him after the author failed to respond to his comments about Anthony Albanese and the state of politics. The exchange unfolded on social media after FitzSimons agreed with another user's prediction that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's support would decline following her association with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Hughes seized on FitzSimons' post to argue corruption had become Australia's biggest political problem. 'Pete the corruption has to stop mate. It's too much. Honest people are going out of business all over Oz and the criminals are thriving,' Hughes wrote. It follows allegations that organised crime figures and bikie gangs have infiltrated Victoria's major infrastructure projects through the CFMEU construction union. Investigations indicate extortion, violence and billions of dollars in bribery-inflated project costs, with funds allegedly siphoned into ghost shifts, nepotism and payments to underworld figures such as Mick Gatto. Hughes also took aim at Albanese: 'You know I was an Albo man but that election deception blew my mind and then I had a good look. We gotta change the way we govern.' But after receiving no public response, Hughes returned with a second post questioning why FitzSimons had ignored him. Comedian Dave Hughes has publicly accused Peter FitzSimons of ghosting him after the author failed to respond to his comments about Anthony Albanese and the state of politics 'Pete why no response?' he wrote. 'You know I'm a reasonable person. I've helped promote you many times over my media career, I've played tennis on your court many times, we have had great chats. 'If you don't think there's an issue with corruption, convince me. I don't give a f*** who is in power, but the stealing has to stop. Tell us why you don't agree.' Hughes also referenced FitzSimons' friendship with Albanese, adding: '@albomp is one of your best mates. How could he let this happen?' 'I’m a lifetime Labor voter, my eyes have been opened to the scale of corruption. @australianlabor and @victorianlabor have been corrupted, and if they continue in power, everyone apart from criminals, will suffer greatly.' He has not publicly replied to either of Hughes' posts. Hughes has become a fierce critic of the Albanese government and has launched a series of tirades since the May budget. He was particularly critical of the changes to negative gearing and the 50 per cent capital gains tax. Hughes was shocked by the lack of response from FitzSimons given they used to play tennis together How do you think political corruption is really affecting everyday Australians right now? What's your view?'Guys, they lied to Australia and you cannot do that,' Hughes said earlier this year. 'This has cost the whole country so much money already, the housing market has tanked, they've cost every Australian who owns a home probably 15 per cent of their housing value, you can't lie about that Jim and Albo, you can't do that.' Hughes called the Albanese government an 'absolute disgrace' and said their decision will cause the economy to suffer. 'The people in charge of our country are idiots, they treat our money like they found it in a sack by the river and they've got to spend it before someone finds out,' he said. 'The Federal Government is $1 trillion in debt, I get on planes and I walk past them, and they're all in business class because they couldn't care less about being $1 trillion in debt... it's not their money... what do they care?' Hughes slammed the government as spending money 'like drunken sailors'. 'It actually affects everyone because hardworking people have to earn that money and you take half off them and blow it on absolute rubbish, it's annoying,' Hughes said. 'We are sick of them stealing our money and especially for first homebuyers. 'I heard Albo on the radio yesterday and he said they don't have to be citizens to take advantage of the first homebuyers scheme, because some countries don't allow dual citizenship.  'So basically there are over 50,000 people bidding against Australians at auctions, who don't want to give up citizenship of their home country, and he has given them our money to buy houses in Australia. 'I am happy for you to stay here, or if you want to go home you can go home, but you are not getting our money to buy houses here… that's insane.'