Key facts
- Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have launched a new political party named Community Strong Australia.
Teal independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have launched a new political party, Community Strong Australia, aiming to offer a centrist alternative focused on issues like housing affordability and climate change.
The launch of Community Strong Australia signifies an attempt by prominent 'teal' independents to consolidate their political movement into a formal party structure, potentially reshaping the centrist political landscape in Australia and offering a new option for voters concerned with issues like climate change and housing affordability.
Teal independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have launched a new political party, Community Strong Australia, aiming to provide a centrist alternative for voters. The party, which features teal-coloured branding, will focus on issues such as housing affordability, cost of living, climate change, childcare, education, healthcare, and social cohesion.
Steggall, the member for Warringah, stated that the party intends to support community-backed candidates in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, extending the 'community independent' model to more Australians. The announcement follows weeks of speculation and discussions among the independent movement.
Community Strong Australia has lodged an application with the Australian Electoral Commission, with finalisation expected by October. The party plans to engage with communities nationwide to shape its future direction and policy priorities.
While Steggall and Spender are the initial declared members, other crossbenchers have indicated varying levels of interest. Nicolette Boele, Member for Bradfield, congratulated the founders but stated she would remain independent, though she did not rule out closer ties and expected to work with the party on policy issues. Conversely, Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney have explicitly ruled themselves out of joining the new alliance, as have Helen Haines, Andrew Wilkie, and Rebekha Sharkie.
The formation of the party comes after Labor and the Coalition passed new electoral laws that may disadvantage smaller players, and amid a shifting political landscape influenced by the rise of parties like One Nation. Opposition leader Angus Taylor has previously suggested that the teal MPs already operate as a de facto party.