Karl Stefanovic’s post-Today career has taken another unexpected turn, with the veteran broadcaster named as host of the upcoming CPAC Australia National Conference.
Just three months after his high-profile departure from Channel Nine, Stefanovic will take centre stage at the conservative political gathering, to be held on October 10-11.
And he won’t simply be there to introduce the speakers.
Stefanovic is set to conduct live, unscripted interviews with three prominent conservative political leaders – One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, Liberal leader Angus Taylor and Nationals leader Matt Canavan.
CPAC Australia announced Stefanovic as part of its 2026 speaker line-up, describing him as an interviewer who would be asking questions “on his terms”.
The booking represents another significant step in Stefanovic’s reinvention since ending his long association with Nine in June.
The 51-year-old had been one of Australian breakfast television’s most recognisable faces, spending two decades as a co-host of Today across two stints and winning both Gold and Silver Logies during his TV career.
But his relationship with Nine came to an abrupt end earlier this year following controversy surrounding an interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson on Stefanovic’s independent podcast.
Nine announced at the time that it was “no longer possible” for Stefanovic to continue hosting Today while also producing his independent podcast, although the broadcaster had already been due to leave the program later in the year.
Stefanovic responded to his departure by declaring himself “free” and saying his podcast would continue to feature people with different perspectives, arguing that audiences should be able to make up their own minds about what they hear.
The Karl Stefanovic Show, launched at the beginning of 2026, has featured guests from across politics, sport, business and entertainment, including former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Pauline Hanson and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
His latest role will put him alongside a substantial line-up of conservative political figures at CPAC, including Barnaby Joyce, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Bridget McKenzie, as well as former British prime minister Liz Truss.
For Stefanovic, who spent years interviewing politicians from the Today couch, the surroundings may be different but the job itself will be rather familiar: microphone in hand, politician opposite and no shortage of potentially awkward questions.
Only this time, there’ll be no breakfast TV alarm clock involved.
