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

At the Australian Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Brisbane, conservative supporters found themselves divided in their response to speeches by Angus Taylor and Pauline Hanson. While about 50 people applauded Taylor, hundreds of attendees erupted into a standing ovation when Hanson took the stage. This sharp contrast raised questions about why Taylor, a sitting Liberal leader, chose to attend the conference known for its far-right policies.

Historically, no Liberal leader had previously participated in CPAC, a gathering seen as too conservative for the mainstream Coalition. Taylor's address addressed similar topics as Hanson's speech, but the audience clearly favored Hanson. Despite the surge in polls for One Nation correlating with the decline of the Coalition, Hanson delivered a sharp jab at Taylor, implying their political contrast.

Taylor's presence, however, contributed to the unity of the diverse parties, emphasizing their shared conservative goals. The conference attracted a massive turnout, with attendees eager to witness the headline speeches. The organizers aimed to highlight the unity among the three parties, but the audience's attention oscillated between focus and distraction, often directed at the subjects they disagreed with.

CPAC Chair Warren Mundine revealed that the mere mention of Chris Bowen, the Energy and Climate Change Minister, gave him chills, recalling his visceral reaction when they crossed paths. While a shared opposition to Labor existed, it was unclear if the Liberals were witnessing a broader conservative movement or a decline in their own position.

The absence of Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, who preferred to engage with voters beyond the Coalition's traditional base, highlighted the challenge of competing with One Nation. The conference's founder, Andrew Cooper, concluded day one by envisioning a Coalition of willing parties from the conservative ranks, urging them to share preferences at the next election and urging them to unite against infighting and ego.