Independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have announced the launch of Community Strong Australia, a new political party positioning itself as a centrist alternative to Australia’s major parties.
The move marks a significant shift for the teal movement, which rose to prominence by backing community-led independent candidates outside the traditional party system.
So, what is Community Strong Australia, and what could it mean for the future of Australian politics?
What is Community Strong Australia?
Community Strong Australia is a newly formed political party launched by independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender. Per The Guardian, the party plans to support community-backed candidates for both the House of Representatives and Senate, and will advocate for policies focused on housing affordability, cost of living pressures, climate action, childcare, education and healthcare.
Community Strong’s website reads: “We’re building a permanent, community-powered political force, an integrity-led party that puts evidence before ideology, community before vested interests and Australia’s future before yesterday’s political agendas.”
It comes amid growing concern about political polarisation in Australia. With support for parties such as One Nation on the rise, Community Strong Australia is seeking to position itself as a moderate alternative, arguing for a politics centred on community representation rather than division.
When will Community Strong Australia be formalised?
Per the website, the party has been registered with the AEC and this will be formalised by October 2026. They’ll then be eligible in the 2028 federal election.
How is it connected to the teal movement?
The new party has emerged from the broader teal independent movement, which gained national attention during the 2022 federal election.
Unlike traditional political parties, teal candidates typically ran as independents supported by local grassroots campaigns. Their success in recent years has demonstrated a growing appetite for candidates who prioritised community representation while also championing larger issues such as climate action, integrity in politics and gender equality.
According to The Guardian, Steggall has described Community Strong Australia as an attempt to extend the community-independent model beyond a small number of electorates, giving more communities the opportunity to back candidates who share similar values.
Will more teal independents join Community Strong Australia?
This remains to be seen.
While Steggall and Spender are leading the initiative, not all members of the broader independent movement are joining. According to The Guardian, fellow teal MPs Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney have already ruled themselves out. Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele has said she will remain independent for now while considering her options.
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