Inside the conservative conference where Angus Taylor comes second to Pauline Hanson

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

The Australian political landscape underwent a visible shift this weekend in Brisbane, as Liberal leader Angus Taylor became the first sitting Liberal leader to address the Australian Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC.

However, the reception he received highlighted the persistent tension between the Liberal Party and the populist conservative movement it is increasingly courting.

While Taylor’s presence was a strategic move to bridge the gap between the Coalition and its conservative base, the conference was dominated by the magnetic pull of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, whose mere appearance on stage elicited a standing ovation from hundreds of attendees, a stark contrast to the applause of approximately 50 people reserved for Taylor.

The disparity in audience reaction underscored the current state of Australian politics, where the Liberals and Nationals have adopted more of the populist conservative policies championed at CPAC, narrowing the distance between the parties. Yet, the credit for these policy shifts remains firmly with One Nation in the eyes of the conference crowd.

Taylor’s address covered many of the same points as Hanson’s speech, but the audience’s enthusiasm was directed overwhelmingly toward the One Nation leader. This dynamic raises questions about the efficacy of the Coalition’s strategy to consolidate the conservative vote, particularly as One Nation’s surge in the polls correlates with the Coalition’s decline.

The event served as a barometer for the shifting allegiances within the right-wing spectrum, where the traditional center-right parties are finding themselves competing with a more vocal and populist alternative.

Taylor’s demeanor at the conference was notably restrained, particularly regarding his relationship with One Nation. Despite the electoral pressures, he pulled his punches when addressing the party, avoiding direct confrontation or criticism.

In contrast, Hanson delivered a sharp critique of the Liberal leader, noting that while voters did not want Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, they were also not keen on a "smarmy management consultant." When speaking to the media later in the afternoon, Hanson denied that her comments were aimed at Taylor, though her demeanor suggested otherwise.

This exchange highlighted the delicate balance Taylor must maintain: appealing to the conservative base without alienating the broader electorate that views One Nation with skepticism.

The atmosphere at CPAC was charged with a specific brand of political fervor, characterized by a shared opposition to the Labor government and its policies. The venue in Brisbane was packed, with lines snaking outside on Saturday morning as hundreds of attendees arrived early to secure good positions for the headline speeches.

Inside, the setting was distinct, with lights casting an eerie red glow over the crowd and posters featuring political giants such as Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan adorning the walls. An introductory video urged the audience to back "Angus," "Pauline," and "Matt," referring to Nationals leader Matt Canavan, emphasizing the organizers' desire to highlight the unity among the three conservative parties rather than their divisions.

Taylor’s presence was instrumental in making this narrative of unity possible, even if Hanson remained the undisputed favorite of the crowd.

Throughout the day, the audience’s engagement fluctuated between rapt attention and listlessness, with heckles generally directed not at the speakers but at the subjects of their shared ire. Topics such as net zero targets, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, whom Hanson referred to as the "Karen of the internet," Anthony Albanese, "woke" school curriculums, and Welcome to Country were among the most likely to elicit boos.

The name of Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen appeared frequently, with the crowd’s reaction to his name serving as a reliable catalyst for renewed energy. CPAC chair Warren Mundine revealed that Bowen’s name alone gave him "chills," recounting a visceral reaction when the two crossed paths in the street.

Mundine quipped, "My mate had to grab me to say, 'It doesn't go well on your CV if you murder a federal minister,'" illustrating the intensity of the political animosity present at the event.

Despite the shared opposition to Labor, the conference did not entirely resolve the Coalition’s electoral challenges. The central question hanging over the proceedings was whether the Liberals were witnessing the consolidation of a broader conservative movement or the gradual erosion of their own place at the center of it. This uncertainty was reflected in the absence of Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, who chose not to compete with One Nation on its own turf.

Instead, Hastie has increasingly sought to make the conservative case to voters beyond the Coalition’s traditional base. Last week, he appeared on a live episode of the Brine & Biff podcast, where he outlined the Coalition’s plan to slash migration but argued that "chasing One Nation down the rabbit hole" was not going to win his side government.

His willingness to confront One Nation, rather than accommodate it, places him at odds with the political future that CPAC’s organizers are trying to build.

The founder of the Australian event, Andrew Cooper, closed day one by painting a vision for a future "Coalition of the willing" between the country’s three conservative political parties. He urged the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation to "share" preferences at the next election, warning that "ego" and infighting over "minor differences" would only "hand power" back to Labor.

Cooper thanked the audience for showing "respect" to every speaker, claiming this approach starved the "noisy rabble outside," including the media, of the ability to spin a narrative about "division" in the conservative ranks.

However, the media was not outside; reporters were in the building wearing bright red lanyards emblazoned with the tagline "fake news." This detail highlighted the disconnect between the conference’s ambition to become part of the political mainstream and its retention of fringe-era jokes and attitudes.

The presence of media personnel with such lanyards underscored the ongoing tension between the conservative movement’s desire for legitimacy and its historical roots in anti-establishment rhetoric. The event served as a platform for the three parties to present a united front, but the underlying dynamics revealed a complex and often contradictory political landscape.

Taylor’s attendance was a strategic move to signal alignment with the conservative base, but the overwhelming support for Hanson suggested that the Coalition’s traditional appeal is waning in favor of more populist voices. The conference highlighted the challenges facing the Liberal Party as it navigates the shifting sands of Australian politics, where the line between the center-right and the far-right is becoming increasingly blurred.

The implications of CPAC extend beyond the immediate political cycle, touching on broader questions of party identity and voter alignment. As the Liberals and Nationals adopt more conservative policies, they risk alienating moderate voters while failing to fully capture the enthusiasm of the hardline conservative base. The event demonstrated that while there is a shared opposition to the Labor government, the path to power is not straightforward.

The Coalition must balance its need to appeal to the conservative base with its desire to remain a viable option for the broader electorate. The absence of Hastie and his public stance against accommodating One Nation further complicated this balance, suggesting internal divisions within the Liberal Party over how to approach the growing influence of One Nation.

The conference also provided a glimpse into the tactics and rhetoric that will likely define the upcoming election campaign. The focus on issues such as migration, climate change, and education, coupled with the personal attacks on Labor figures, indicated a strategy aimed at mobilizing the conservative base through shared grievances. The organizers’ emphasis on unity and the sharing of preferences suggested an attempt to create a cohesive conservative bloc capable of challenging the Labor government.

However, the success of this strategy will depend on the ability of the three parties to overcome their differences and present a united front to voters. The event highlighted both the potential and the pitfalls of this approach, as the audience’s enthusiasm for Hanson and the media’s presence with "fake news" lanyards illustrated the ongoing struggle for legitimacy and influence in Australian politics.

In the end, CPAC served as a microcosm of the broader political realignment taking place in Australia. The attendance of Taylor, the dominance of Hanson, and the strategic maneuvers of figures like Hastie and Cooper all pointed to a political landscape in flux. The conference demonstrated that while the conservative movement is gaining momentum, it is not a monolithic entity.

The challenges of uniting diverse political factions, managing internal party dynamics, and appealing to a wide range of voters remain significant hurdles. As the election approaches, the lessons from CPAC will likely shape the strategies of the major parties, with the Coalition seeking to leverage the energy of the conservative base while maintaining its broader appeal.

The event underscored the complexity of modern Australian politics, where traditional party lines are being tested by the rise of populist movements and the shifting preferences of the electorate.