Australian rightists and the 2026 Alliance for responsible Citizenship Conference

Written by: (Contributed) on 7 July 2026

(2023 ARC panel discussion with Greg Sheridan, 2nd left and Andrew Hastie, far right Source: Wikimedia Creative Commons)

The recent far right Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London attracted right-wing figures from the four corners of the globe. It, however, formed only part of a bigger picture of intrigue and political and diplomatic chicanery. A high-level US diplomatic statement from the Treasury Department which was issued on the final day of the London conference, likewise, detailed the position of the Trump administration, although remained hidden amongst official ARC agendas. While attendees acted out their designated roles in London, with all the pomp and ceremony of their positions, shadowy figures lurking in the corridors of power remain a matter of considerable interest.

The 23-25 June London conference of the ARC attracted about 4,000 delegates from 96 countries, including fifty from Australia; they paid 1,500 pounds for the bean-feast. (1)

Whether the conference fees were actually paid through right-wing political organisations was also not divulged. It would appear a distinct possibility; those regarded as right-wing political figures of interest were 'invited' to attend. The Australian delegation included some conspicuous figures of yesteryear, with Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison being the most prominent as former PM's. (2) Both continue to carry considerable right-wing baggage, which, no doubt, made them very useful attendees. Murdoch “journalists” Paul Kelly and Greg Sheridan attended, as did Nationals MP Bridget McKenzie. Michael Stutchbury,
Executive Director of the right-wing Centre for Independent Studies was also there. Stutchbury’s latest piece in the Australian Financial review blames the cost-of-living squeeze on “Labor’s big government spendathon, the costly clean energy transition, over-prescriptive workplace laws and what the Productivity Commission calls “the ever-growing burden of regulation” that squashes the economy’s dynamism.”

Emphasis throughout the conference was placed upon the ability of delegates to 'facilitate networking opportunities'. (3) The conference, for example, attracted a diverse group of attendees: oil executives, anti-abortion activists and others, who were focused upon the opportunity to 'relay the foundations of our civilisation'. (4)

The stated agenda for the three-day ARC gab-fest also had an emphasis upon British Conservatism and the 'shaping contemporary right-wing thought … amongst … influential intellectuals'. (5) The British Conservative Party has a long and notorious history of its use of shadowy patronage systems converging upon the Commonwealth; assimilation of dissent with lavish displays of patronage. Elite gentlemens’ clubs and dining houses from the Greenland of Graham Greene, accompanied by intrigue and espionage and those associated with the levers of class and state power spring to mind.

Other ARC agendas were quite clearly were in operation. The conference, for example, was held over three carefully planned agendas: day one was devoted to 'the Pathway to Deconstruction', day two was focused upon 'Mindset', while day three was grander planning and 'the Age of Reconstruction'. (6) Compartmentalisation was the order of the day.

While portraying the ARC as a polite, diplomatic and sincere right-wing political outfit, the hidden conference agendas were not particularly difficult to unravel; it was a forum for the like-minded. Commentary emphasising the influence behind the scenes of the European far-right, Trump supporters from the US and allied countries, the shadowy Heritage Foundation and a 'toxic alliance' were not difficult to find. (7)

Studies of some of the participants at the conference and their speeches reveal carefully drafted presentations, addressing controversial issues of the day from a far-right perspective. One paper, for example, criticised mass migration, threats to destroy European civilisation, legislation and regulations restricting anti-social behaviour, amongst other references to drug-dealing and usage and illegal encampments. (8) The location of the 'illegal encampments' was not divulged. Another speech, by former Liberal PM and current Liberal Party President Tony Abbott, followed much the same far-right political line with conspiracy theories about the existence of a fifth-type column, hell-bent upon destroying school textbook-type Australian history and encouraging mass migration. (9)

A particularly sinister part of the European far-right at the conference were those associated with the AfD; the German-based outfit are no strangers to courting neo-Nazi groups. Studies of the German far-right, likewise, reveal that while it was forced underground following defeat in the Second World War, it has been allowed to re-surface following the unification of the country in 1990. (10)

The most sinister side of the German far-right remain its strong foothold inside the armed forces; a decade ago its military intelligence organisation was forced to admit it was 'investigating 275 extreme right-wing suspects'. (11) Many were openly neo-Nazi, and one investigation actually found evidence of a conspiracy to establish arms caches across the country for future use with para-military forces seizing power. (12) Another investigation revealed a German army officer suspected of plotting to assassinate left-wing politicians; the investigation also provided evidence that it formed part of a broader network of fascists and that his 'activities were known to his superiors and covered up by them'. (13)

In 2020, the German government were forced to disband their elite special forces, the KSK, who had been found to have been subject to widespread infiltration by far-right groups and 'had organised weapons and tactical training for like-minded civilians'. (14)

The US counterparts to the German far-right clearly regard Trump as their man, the targeting of immigrants by the presidential administration was chosen to serve other agendas; their attempted para-military insurrection following his defeat at the end of his first term of office would appear their chosen method of operation and seizure of power. The fact the participants received presidential pardons from serving prison sentences is evidence, in itself, of complicity at the highest levels of Washington and the Pentagon. The issue of separation of powers and democracy and terrorism was not openly discussed; it was regarded as an obstacle to the aims of the Trump entourage.

The US Heritage Foundation, moreover, remains a relic from the previous Cold War, backed solidly behind sinister right-wing forces and the intelligence services. Those associated with the previous Cold War now openly fly their flags once again, with similar political and diplomatic considerations. It was, therefore, no coincidence that the US delegation to the ARC conference included several members of the Trump administration, led by Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, following a preoccupation with oil. (15)

The significance of the Heritage Foundation and senior Washington figures also throws light upon the role of the World Anto-Communist League/WLFD; its shadowy tentacles reach deep and entrenched in Washington right-wing political circles. The right-wing think-tank which was closely allied with the previous Reagan administration, was also closely associated with international far-right groups and the WACL. (16) A declassified CIA report from the period, in fact, referred to the WACL as a 'neo-fascist umbrella organisation that assisted US intelligence operations', that had become involved in terrorist operations. (17)

Coinciding with the final day of the ARC conference a high-level US diplomatic statement from the Treasury Department provided a fully detailed plan by the Trump administration to 'write the rules of the next economy'. (18) The political discourse of the ARC conference, however, took priority over economic considerations. The grander economic planning was not, therefore, publicised at the conference. Nor is it likely to be so. Wall Street and the Pentagon are unlikely to come clean; the Trump administration, moreover, represent the most aggressive side of Wall Street and the Pentagon. They seek higher levels of exploitation for the forces of capital over that of labour, particularly with finance capital into the emerging economies. Recent developments in Venezuela already show the emphasis the US has placed upon neo-colonialism.

It is also not a coincidence that the chosen position of the Trump administration has followed recent studies of the US economy and its longer-term decline, due to being confronted with credible challenge. The US economy has, for example, shrunken to under thirteen per cent of global GDP, while the BRICs trade body has amassed between 28-30 per cent, and is still expanding with South-South financial relations and diplomacy. (19) Diplomatic links between BRICs and other trade bodies has also increased its influence.

In conclusion, progressive-minded people should be on their guard when dealing with organisations such as the ARC. Far from being a conservative political think-tank, it is much more sinister; it resembles a front-type body, where shadowy figures lurk behind the respectability of others.

Plans are already underway for a February 16-17 2027 Aspire Conference in Sydney, “Inspired by the success of ARC (Alliance for Responsible Citizenship), and with ARC London’s blessing” according to the Aspire website.

Speakers will include Christian rightist John Anderson, former National leader and deputy Prime Minister, and founding member of the ARC.

1. 'London Summit', The London Daily, 29 June 2026.
2. Meeting of minds aims to plot Western liberal democracy's revival, Australian, 25 June 2026.
3. 'London Summit', op.cit., 29 June 2026.
4. 'Senior UK politicians', DeSmog, 18 June 2026.
5. 'London Summit', op.cit., 29 June 2026.
6. See: ARC Official website for 2026 conference.
7. 'Senior UK politicians', op.cit., 18 June 2026.
8. Invented 'dream worlds' true enemy of civilisation, The Australian, 26 June 2026.
9. Reject shame and defeatism, and share in national pride, The Australian, 26 June 2026.
10. See: The Beast Re-Awakens, Martin Lee, (London, 1997), Chapter 8/9, pp. 237-374.
11. Neo-Nazi network in German army exposed,
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/05/04pers-m04.html
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid.
14. German special forces purged after far-right infiltration, Australian, 3 July 2020.
15. Meeting of minds, op.cit., 25 June 2026.
16. Old Nazis, the New Right and the Republican Party, Russ Bellant, (Boston, 1988), page 31, page 46, page 61, page 63, page 64, page 67, page 83; and,
Inside the League, Scott Anderson and Jon Lee Anderson, New York, 1986), page 47, pp. 150-55.
17. Quoted: The Beast Reawakens, Martin Lee, op.cit., page 189, from CIA Directorate of Intelligence Report, Right-Wing Terrorism in Europe: A Research Paper, April 1983.
18. Five core principles drive US economic statecraft, Australian, 25 June 2026.
19. US % of global GDP, World Economics Research, London and; BRICs 2026 Website.