Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Sydney MP Allegra Spender have launched a new political party, Community Strong Australia, aiming to provide a centrist alternative for voters. The party, which has applied for registration with the Australian Electoral Commission, intends to support community-backed candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate. According to Steggall, the party will focus on policy areas including housing affordability, cost of living, climate change, and healthcare.
Why the party was formed
Steggall and Spender established the party following months of secret discussions regarding the future of the independents movement. According to Steggall, the move is a response to a shifting political landscape, including the rise of One Nation and public concern over political division. While the pair denied the party was a strategy to bypass new electoral laws involving spending and donation caps, they noted that a formal party structure provides logistical benefits, such as the ability to share staff and resources.
The application to register Community Strong Australia with the Australian Electoral Commission is expected to be finalized by October.
Implications for the independent movement
The launch of Community Strong Australia has highlighted divisions among the crossbench. While Steggall and Spender are the only members to join so far, other prominent independents, including Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney, have explicitly ruled out joining the new alliance. According to reports, the project has also been met with skepticism from the Opposition; Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor stated earlier this week that the teal MPs have effectively operated as a de facto party for years.
The transition from a loose collection of community-backed independents to a registered political party creates a strategic trade-off. While the structure offers organizational efficiency and potential for growth, it risks alienating voters who supported these MPs specifically because they operated outside the traditional party-room system.
What happens next
Community Strong Australia plans to engage with communities across the country in the coming months to define its future policy direction. While the party will not have a formal leader, Steggall indicated that they may eventually appoint policy spokespeople. Members will retain a free vote in parliament, though they will be expected to align with the party’s core values. Other crossbenchers, such as Nicolette Boele, have not ruled out future collaboration, suggesting the party’s influence on the broader crossbench may evolve as it formalizes its operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will members be bound by party-room decisions?
No. According to Steggall, members will retain a free vote in parliament and will not be bound by a party-room position, though they must agree with the party’s core values.
Is the party affiliated with Climate 200?
No. Steggall and Spender have distanced the new party from the Climate 200 movement and its major donors, stating they would not be involved with the new entity.
Who has joined the party so far?
At this stage, only Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have declared their intention to join, though other crossbenchers like Nicolette Boele are considering their options.
How do you believe the formalization of this movement will change the way voters perceive independent candidates in future elections?
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