Australia's centrist voters are being offered an alternative voice in the nation's politics, as two prominent independent MPs, Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, formally launch the Community Strong Australia party. This development marks a significant shift in Australian politics, where fragmentation is on the rise and independents are seeking to assert their influence.
The teal-coloured branding of the new party is seen as a symbol of its centrist stance, which seeks to address key issues such as housing affordability, the cost of living crisis, climate change, childcare, education, healthcare, and social cohesion. Steggall, who represents Warringah in parliament, has stated that Community Strong Australia aims to bring "reason over rage" and unity over division – a sentiment that resonates with many voters disillusioned by the current polarised political landscape.
The formation of Community Strong Australia follows weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions among independent parliamentarians about their future direction. While a significant number of independents were elected in recent Australian elections, Steggall and Spender are the only two so far to commit to joining the new party, with another crossbench MP, Nicolette Boele, still weighing her options.
Steggall and Spender have sought to distance their party from the Climate 200 movement, which has been backed by prominent benefactors such as Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes. The pair have confirmed that they will not be involved with the new party, sparking questions about whether the move is designed to circumvent electoral laws, particularly those concerning spending and donation caps. However, both MPs have denied this, insisting that Community Strong Australia is a response to public demand for an alternative political force.
At its core, Community Strong Australia will back community-backed candidates contesting both the House of Representatives and the Senate. While the party will not have a formal leader, Steggall indicated that policy spokespeople could be appointed as it grows. Crucially, members will retain a free vote in parliament, with the only constraint being their alignment with "core values" on issues such as climate change. This structure seeks to maintain the essence of the 'community independent' model while providing the logistical benefits of a formal party structure.
The discussions leading to the party's launch intensified over the past six months, partly spurred by changes to electoral laws enacted last year by the Labor and Coalition parties. The rising influence of right-wing parties like One Nation has also prompted independents to consider how best to maintain their relevance in a changing political landscape. Community Strong Australia has already lodged its application with the Australian Electoral Commission.