Independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have officially launched a new political party called Community Strong Australia, positioning it as a centrist alternative amid the rise of One Nation and internal Coalition turmoil. The party, which features teal-coloured branding, aims to support community-backed candidates for both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Party Focus and Values
According to Steggall, the member for Warringah, the party will prioritise housing affordability, cost of living, climate change, childcare, education, healthcare, and social cohesion. She emphasised that the party offers “unity over division and reason over rage,” extending the community independent model to more Australians. “The community independent movement has shown what’s possible when people unite around shared values and practical solutions,” Steggall said.
Background and Formation
The announcement follows weeks of speculation and secret talks about the future of the independents movement. The discussions intensified after Labor and the Coalition passed new electoral laws imposing spending and donation caps that disadvantage smaller players. Steggall briefed teal MPs and prominent independents last week, presenting polling data and outlining the benefits of a party structure, including shared staff, resources, and portfolio responsibilities.
At this stage, only Steggall and Spender have declared their intention to join the party. Fellow crossbencher Nicolette Boele, the member for Bradfield, said she is considering her options and remains independent for now, but expects to work closely with the party on policy issues. “Community Strong Australia represents the kind of brave, hopeful politics our country needs more of,” Boele said.
Party Registration and Timeline
Steggall confirmed that the party has lodged an application with the Australian Electoral Commission and expects registration to be finalised by October. In the coming months, Community Strong Australia will engage with communities nationwide to shape its future direction and policy priorities.
Mixed Reactions Among Teal MPs
The project has divided the Climate 200-backed MPs. Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney have ruled out joining, while Helen Haines, Andrew Wilkie, and Rebekha Sharkie also declined to be part of the new alliance. Opposition leader Angus Taylor mocked the announcement, claiming the teal MPs have long operated as a de facto political party. “They were launched years ago. They’ve been around for a long while,” he said.
Steggall entered parliament after defeating Tony Abbott in 2019, while Spender was part of the teal wave in 2022 that captured formerly safe Liberal seats in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
