The right-wing Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) made its debut in Western Australia on Friday evening, with a stage dominated by Liberal Party of Australia politicians and no representation from One Nation.

Dubbed Reset the West, the event aimed to rally conservatives to work together, but it largely highlighted the Liberals’ effort to rebuild the centre-right with themselves at the core.

Political Context

The conference comes after poor performances by the Liberals in recent state and federal elections, and recent polling indicates One Nation is now outperforming the Liberals, capturing 20–25% of the primary vote in some regions.

Key Speakers and Themes

Among the attendees and speakers were:

• Andrew Hastie, federal Liberal MP
• Basil Zempilas, media personality and former Lord Mayor of Perth
• Warren Mundine, Indigenous leader and political commentator

Andrew Hastie criticized Labor’s immigration policy, arguing it contributes to the housing crisis—a claim experts describe as an oversimplification. He addressed an audience of roughly 240, mostly older attendees, calling for conservatives to unite around traditional Liberal values.

Absence of One Nation

Notably, no representatives from One Nation were on the stage, highlighting the Liberals’ intention to reassert themselves as the main force in the centre-right space despite competition from populist rivals.

Focus on the ‘Lost Australians’

The theme of the event centered on the concept of “lost Australians”—voters who may feel politically alienated or disenchanted. Speakers emphasized reclaiming these voters through policy messaging that focuses on national security, economic growth, and conservative social values.

Implications for the Centre-Right

The conference underlines the Liberals’ challenge in rebuilding their base amid rising support for populist parties. By framing themselves as the standard-bearers of conservative politics, the party hopes to regain influence in rural and urban electorates alike.

Key Takeaways

• CPAC in Perth was dominated by Liberal Party politicians, with One Nation absent.
• The event, titled Reset the West, focused on rallying conservatives and reclaiming “lost Australians.”
• Andrew Hastie criticized Labor’s immigration policy and linked it to housing concerns.
• Recent polls show One Nation gaining traction, outpolling the Liberals in some areas.
• Speakers emphasized unity and centre-right values to strengthen the Liberal Party’s influence.