CPAC Australia adopts NatCon moniker; implications may be significant

{ "articleTitle": "CPAC Australia Adopts 'NatCon' Moniker for 2026 Event", "articleDescription": "CPAC Australia is branding its October 10-11 gathering as 'NatCon,' a name that echoes the prominent European National Conservatism Conference while featuring speakers such as Pauline Hanson and Liz Truss.", "articleBody": "

Rebranding for 2026

\n

CPAC Australia is branding its upcoming event as \"NatCon\" this year. The conference is scheduled to take place on October 10-11, according to Crikey.

\n

The name \"NatCon\" serves as shorthand for \"national conference.\" However, the organization is aware that the term also refers to a prominent European conference dedicated to national conservatism.

\n

Warren Mundine serves as the chairman of CPAC Australia. He is also a former director of the Indigenous Forum at the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS).

\n

Scheduled Speakers and Sponsors

\n

The 2026 event will feature a lineup of political figures from across right-wing party lines. Confirmed speakers include Angus Taylor, Pauline Hanson, Barnaby Joyce, Matt Canavan, and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.

\n

International attendees include former British prime minister Liz Truss and Sall Grover, the founder of Giggle for Girls.

\n

The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) is a platinum sponsor of CPAC Australia’s \"NatCon.\" The IPA is part of the Atlas Network, which includes more than 500 think tanks. The Atlas Network partners with CPAC Australia.

\n

Origins and Historical Context

\n

CPAC Australia was founded in 2019 by Andrew Cooper. Cooper previously served as director of special projects at the Australian Institute for Progress (AiP) and is president of LibertyWorks.

\n

The AiP is a Liberal-aligned partner of the Atlas Network known for acting on behalf of tobacco and coal donors.

\n

The American CPAC parent organization was founded in 1974 by the American Conservative Union and Young Americans for Freedom. It was established as part of the New Right’s effort to take control of the Republican Party from East Coast moderates.

\n

Ronald Reagan gave the inaugural keynote speech at CPAC in 1974, describing America as \"A shining city upon a hill.\" Since then, the American conference has hosted various events. These included the installation of a golden statue of Donald Trump in 2021 and Marjorie Taylor Greene praying over a mock jail cell exhibit in 2022.

\n

In 2024, Jack Posobiec stated at the event that they aim to \"overthrow\" democracy.

\n

Strategic Implications

\n

Crikey reported that CPAC Australia’s use of the \"NatCon\" label may be an attempt to align with transnational factions advocating for closer relationships between religion and government policy.

\n

The rebranding may also aim to shift perceptions from the \"lowbrow\" nature