Teal MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender launch new centrist party Community Strong Australia
Consensus Summary
Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender launched Community Strong Australia, a new centrist political party, on June 24, 2026, aiming to provide an alternative for voters frustrated with major parties. The party emphasizes unity, reason, and shared values, with a focus on sensible economic management, climate action, equality, and integrity. Its constitution allows members a free vote on most issues, except supply and confidence, and it has no formal leader, instead relying on collective parliamentary leadership. Registration with the Australian Electoral Commission is expected by October 2026. While only Steggall and Spender have committed to the party, other independents like Nicolette Boele are open to collaboration, and pollster Kos Samaras suggests it could attract some One Nation voters. The party’s formation is seen as a high-risk strategy to exploit political upheaval and establish a Senate presence, though it currently lacks candidates and policies beyond its founding principles.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender launched Community Strong Australia, a new centrist political party, on June 24, 2026.
- The party’s constitution allows members a free vote on all matters except providing supply and confidence to government.
- The party’s four policy pillars are sensible economic management, climate action, equality, and integrity.
- Community Strong Australia has no leader; instead, parliamentary leaders will collectively lead.
- Only Steggall and Spender have committed to the party so far; other teal MPs like Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, and David Pocock have ruled out joining.
- The party’s registration papers were filed with the Australian Electoral Commission on June 24, 2026, with expected approval by October 2026.
- Pollster Kos Samaras stated that some One Nation voters may switch to Community Strong Australia if it is seen as a serious alternative.
- The party is not currently taking funding from Climate 200, though Steggall did not rule out future donations.
- Nicolette Boele, independent MP for Bradfield, congratulated the party but said she would remain independent for now, though she is open to working with it.
- The party aims to appeal to voters who feel 'politically homeless' and frustrated with major parties.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed an ISIS-linked woman, subject to a Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO), was issued a permit to return to Australia on June 24, 2026.
- ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess warned of concerns about foreign government actions, particularly Iran, and defended ASIO’s counter-terrorism resourcing in the years leading up to the Bondi terrorist attack.
- Opposition Leader Angus Taylor dismissed reports of Liberal MPs questioning his leadership and offered to meet with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to discuss toxic taxes.
- The article mentions the Bondi terrorist attack occurred in December 2025.
- Zoe Daniel, a former independent MP and ABC foreign correspondent, wrote an opinion piece praising Steggall and Spender as brave and highlighting their shared experience in politics.
- Daniel noted that the independents movement began in Indi with Cathy McGowan’s election in 2013.
- The article emphasizes the party’s focus on 'reason over rage' and unity over division.
- The article states the new party is pitched at the 'politically homeless' but does not provide additional unique details beyond other sources.
- The article highlights that the party’s structure avoids traditional party pitfalls like factional power brokers and branch stacking.
- Sophie Scamps, independent MP for Mackellar, is consulting supporters about joining the party.
- The article repeats details from SMH but does not provide additional unique information.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC states the Bondi terrorist attack occurred in December 2025, but no other source confirms this date.
- The ABC reports ASIO foiled 31 major terrorism plots since 2014, while no other source provides this specific number.
- The Guardian and SMH/TheAge mention that Steggall and Spender have consulted their communities and donor bases, but the ABC does not explicitly state Spender consulted donors.
Source Articles
Live: Teal MPs launch new Community Strong Australia party
Two Sydney teal independent MPs have launched a new centrist political party, with ambitions of picking up seats in the Senate. Follow live.
The Community Strong Australia party’s ‘reason over rage’ sounds good to me. Can it appeal to One Nation voters too? | Zoe Daniel
Translating the authenticity of community independence into a party structure is a risk, but in the Australian spirit of having a go, I say give it a chance Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, now political partners , are quite different people. One is a former Olympic skier and family law barrister who operates with a fierce elite athlete mindset underpinned by extraordinary determination and, when it comes to politics, deep conviction. Zoe Daniel is a three-time ABC foreign correspondent and th
Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender launch new party aimed at political centre promising ‘reason over rage’
New party dubbed Community Strong Australia follows secret talks about future of community independents Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Teal independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have launched a new political party called Community Strong Australia, with the aim of providing a centrist alternative for voters amid the rise of One Nation and the turmoil inside the Coalition. The party will focus on issues
The new teal party is here. Who is Community Strong Australia — and who will join?
Teal MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have pitched their new centrist party at the "politically homeless".
Teals reveal name, logo and founding principles of new party – but there’s no leader
Independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender will form a new political party, Community Strong Australia, hoping to gain a spot in the Senate.
Teals Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall form new political party
The teal independents have confirmed they are forming a new political party, Community Strong Australia, but are yet to convince crossbench colleagues to join what they call a "responsible alternative" to the major parties.
Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have a new party – but what does it stand for and who will join?
Independent MPs say Community Strong Australia offers an alternative to political extremes, but spending and donation caps may factor in Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Two “teal” independent MPs have launched their own political party , with plans to organise themselves and run new candidates under the banner of “Community Strong”. Australia’s newest political party will be focused around a centrist agenda on housing, climate and cost of living, but allow its member
Teals reveal name, logo and founding principles of new party – but there’s no leader
Independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender will form a new political party, Community Strong Australia, hoping to gain a spot in the Senate.