Teal independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have officially launched a new political party named Community Strong Australia, positioning it as a centrist alternative amid the rise of One Nation and internal Coalition turmoil. The party, announced on Thursday, aims to champion unity over division and reason over rage, according to Steggall, the independent member for Warringah.
Party Focus and Stated Goals
Community Strong Australia will concentrate on key issues such as housing affordability, cost of living, climate change, childcare, education, healthcare, and social cohesion. Steggall emphasised that the party would extend the 'community independent' model to more Australians and communities nationwide. 'Australia is at a turning point, and people are worried about what the future holds. Community Strong Australia offers unity over division and reason over rage,' she stated.
The party has applied for registration with the Australian Electoral Commission, with finalisation expected by October. Steggall noted that in the coming months, the party would engage with communities across the country to shape its future direction and policy priorities.
Distance from Climate 200 and Donors
Steggall and Spender distanced the new party from the Climate 200 movement and its major donors, including Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes, stating they would not be involved. The pair denied that the move was an attempt to circumvent new political electoral laws, including spending and donation caps, which disadvantage smaller players. Spender explained, 'People have been approaching me since the election saying we need something different here, we are concerned about the extremists in our country, and we want to make a difference.'
Leadership and Structure
Community Strong Australia will not have a formal leader, but Steggall indicated that if the party grows, it could name policy spokespeople. Members would retain a free vote in parliament and would only need to agree with 'core values' on issues such as climate change, without being bound by a party-room position. A formal party structure offers logistical benefits, including shared staff, resources, and portfolio responsibilities.
However, this move risks undermining Steggall and Spender's reputation as genuine community independents, which is central to their political brand. Currently, only Steggall and Spender have declared their intention to join the party. Fellow crossbencher Nicolette Boele, the member for Bradfield, said she was still considering her options but congratulated them on the launch. 'Community Strong Australia represents the kind of brave, hopeful politics our country needs more of, and I look forward to seeing where it goes,' Boele said.
Background and Reactions
The launch follows weeks of speculation and secret talks about the future of the independents movement. The project has divided Climate 200-backed MPs, with Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney ruling themselves out. Other crossbenchers, including Helen Haines, Andrew Wilkie, and Rebekha Sharkie, will not 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 federal parliament after defeating Tony Abbott at the 2019 election, while Spender was part of the teal wave that swept through Liberal seats in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth at the 2022 ballot. The new party carries teal-coloured branding and aims to support community-backed candidates for both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
