Two prominent independent Members of Parliament in Australia, Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, have joined forces to establish a new centrist political party, Community Strong Australia. Launched in Canberra on Thursday, the new organisation aims to present a fresh political option, advocating for 'unity over division and reason over rage' in an increasingly polarised political environment.
The party, which will operate without a designated leader, intends to empower its members by allowing them to vote freely on issues rather than adhering to strict party lines. Steggall and Spender are both part of a group of independent MPs, often referred to as 'teals', who typically champion socially liberal policies and advocate for more robust action on climate change. This initiative is positioned as an 'alternate political force' to challenge Australia's long-standing two-party system, which has historically been dominated by the centre-left Labor Party and the conservative Liberal-Nationals Coalition.
The formation of Community Strong Australia comes at a time of significant shifts in the Australian political landscape. Following Labor's decisive victory in last year's federal election, which secured them a second term, the Coalition experienced its most substantial defeat, leading to internal disputes. Concurrently, there has been a noticeable increase in support for right-wing parties, such as One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, with some polls even indicating her as a preferred prime ministerial candidate.
When questioned about whether the recent surge in support for One Nation's anti-immigration stance influenced their decision, Steggall and Spender indicated that their actions were guided by the concerns of their constituents. Spender articulated a sense of public frustration with the 'status quo', stating that many citizens, including herself, would feel uncertain about who to vote for if not directly involved in politics. Both MPs expressed a desire to move beyond political infighting and blame, focusing instead on developing practical solutions for issues such as housing affordability, the cost of living, climate change, childcare, education, and healthcare.
Zali Steggall, a former barrister and Winter Olympian, has served as a federal MP since 2019, notably unseating former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in an electorate previously held by the Liberal Party for over a century. Allegra Spender secured her seat in 2022. The party has lodged its application with the Australian Electoral Commission, with formal registration anticipated to be finalised in October. While other 'teal' independents are reportedly considering their options, several have already ruled out joining the new party.
This development also coincides with new electoral funding laws in Australia that provide significantly larger campaign budgets for political parties, a change some independents believe could put them at a disadvantage. Community Strong Australia's founders have clarified that Climate 200, a political organisation that has previously funded successful independent candidates, is not involved in this new party.