QAnon, 15-minute cities and sovereign citizens: Plunging into the world of conspiracy theories

Oct 15, 2025

Ariel Bogle, a journalist and author of "Conspiracy Nation," delves into the captivating world of Australian conspiracy theories. She discusses the rise of these beliefs during the pandemic, driven by social disruption and online influence. Ariel explores the intriguing dynamics within groups like QAnon and the sovereign citizen movement, shedding light on personal triggers for belief. She reflects on historical roots of conspiracies like Pizzagate and their chilling real-world implications, revealing how these ideologies take hold and evolve in society.

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INSIGHT

Crisis Fuels Conspiratorial Growth

Conspiracy theories surge in moments of crisis because they offer simple narratives for complex events.
Ariel Bogle says these ideas have long histories but gained new impact during the pandemic.

ANECDOTE

We Are Ready March: A Jumble Of Theories

At the We Are Ready March in Sydney, protesters carried a chaotic mix of posters about 15-minute cities, pedophiles and vaccines.
Ariel Bogle describes the event as many conspiracies flowing together into an overarching worldview.

INSIGHT

Righteousness Fuels Community

Conspiracy believers often feel righteous and evangelistic after 'seeing through the veil.'
Ariel Bogle notes this righteousness creates a strong community despite disparate beliefs.

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Journalist Ariel Bogle takes us inside the rallies, homes, courtrooms, secret chat rooms and $2000 Byron Bay luxury retreats where Australia’s conspiracy theories spread.

Ariel has been investigating conspiracy theories and those who follow them for her new book.

When things feel wrong and unfair, sometimes people look for answers in some of the more febrile corners of the internet.

Add political fragmentation and the megaphone of the internet to the mix, and many conspiracy theories are fast gaining traction Australia.

Some of these beliefs are imported from America; others are home-grown.

In researching her book, Ariel met people who believe there are microchips in vaccines, and that the law isn’t real, but QAnon is.

She also met those drawn into the cult-like world of sovereign citizens and tried to understand what lured them there in the first place.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan and the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

Further information:

Conspiracy Nation, co-authored with Cam Wilson is published by Hardie Grant.

Listen to David Heilpern's interview with Sarah Kanowski https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/david-heilpern-magistrate-drug-driving-laws-ptsd-justice-system/14103618

It explores conspiracy theories, 5G, vaccines, vaccine refusal, traffic fines, QAnon, 15 minute cities, sovereign citizens, pseudo law, legal system, relationships, conferences, podcasters, influential conspiracy theorists, Bill Heffernan, sheeple, Port Arthur, Wieambilla murders, Port Arthur, what pushes people into conspiracy theories, David Heilpern, do conspiracy theorists change their minds, families, fractured families, going no contact, Dezi Freeman, the hunt for Dezi Freeman, sovcit movement, propaganda, powerful cabals, strange conspiracy theories, australian economy, .

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