Jordan Peterson – the Canadian author, clinical psychologist, philosopher and lightning rod for progressive outrage – has told a select group of Coalition MPs about his manifesto for how “centrists and conservatives” can reclaim political ground lost to “leftist radicals” and their “long march” to dominate institutions of power.

Speaking at an invitation-only event in Parliament House that included former prime minister Scott Morrison, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, and more than a dozen Coalition and One Nation MPs and senators, Professor Peterson urged the group to reclaim the moral high ground claimed by their opponents.