Karl Stefanovic to Join Taylor, Hanson at Major Conservative Conference

Well-known Australian TV host Karl Stefanovic will take part in the next Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Brisbane just months after his axing from media giant Nine Entertainment.

The former Today Show host and podcaster is slated to host on-stage interviews with centre-right Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, and Nationals leader Matthew Canavan.

“For 21 years, Karl sat in the host’s chair on Today and questioned prime ministers, premiers and everyone in between,” according to a CPAC statement about the event due to run on Oct. 10 to 11 in Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre.

“Now he’s independent and asking the questions on his terms.

“It’s the session that is bound to send the establishment media into a head spin and nothing beats being in the room when it happens.”

Stefanonvic was controversially axed from Nine after interviewing British influencer and activist Tommy Robinson on his personal podcast.

Liberal Party Steps Up Presence

CPAC originated from the United States and is headlined by U.S. President Donald Trump with thousands of guests travelling to attend.

The Australian edition was launched in 2019 and is arguably the largest conservative political gathering in the country.

The 2026 edition will mark the first year that a leader of the Liberal Party has appeared and spoken, and comes amid ongoing pressure in the polls from the conservative-leaning One Nation.

In fact, this year’s lineup features a strong showing of first time speakers from the Liberal and National parties, including Deputy Premier of Queensland Jarrod Bleijie, Shadow Minister Dan Tehan, Senators Kerrynne Liddle, Susan McDonald, and Leah Blyth, as well as MPs Philip Thompson and Henry Pike.

Out of 32 speakers, Liberal and National politicians will comprise more than a third of the list.

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss will make her return, as well as One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce and Liberal Senator Jacinta Price.

Sall Grover, founder of the Giggle for Girls app, will also appear—Grover has spent five years locked in a legal battle over the definition of gender in Australia.