‘Crossroads’: Teal MPs form new political party
Two independent federal politicians have joined forces to launch a new political party focused on countering “conflict and hate” and giving voters more choice.
Two teal independent MPs have joined forces to create a centrist party to counter what they say are political forces fuelling division and pushing voters to extremes.
After weeks of talks, Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Wentworth MP Allegra Spender on Thursday announced the formation of Community Strong Australia.
“Australia is at a crossroads. Across the country, Australians want something better: A politics that brings people together, tackles long-term challenges with courage and optimism, and gives communities a stronger voice in shaping the future,” they said.
The party’s focus issues include creating opportunity and prosperity, safety and security, housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures, climate change, childcare, education, healthcare and social cohesion.
“Australia is at a turning point and people are worried about what the future holds. Community Strong Australia offers unity over division and reason over rage,” Steggall said.
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She and Spender said they would work together to develop policy, but will retain a free vote and prioritise their communities.
The party is looking to build on the principles of the community independents movement, which they have listed as integrity, accountability, practical problem-solving and putting communities at the centre of decision-making.
Spender said Community Strong Australia responded directly to the feeling among many Australians that politics was dominated by career politicians who didn’t listen to them.
“Our country’s success wasn’t built on complaining or fighting each other. It was built on the common good of hard work, tolerance, shared identity and purpose,” she said.
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Community Strong Australia wanted to counter the political forces that fuel division and push voters towards more extreme choices, she and Steggall said.
“At a time when others are promoting conflict and hate, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to provide a real political alternative and promote a positive narrative about what Australia is and what we can achieve together,” Steggall said.
Independent MP for Bradfield Nicolette Boele congratulated the pair. She said she expected to work with Community Strong Australia on policy regarding the economy, climate action and integrity.
“For now, I am remaining independent. That is the mandate Bradfield gave me, and any decision to change that belongs to my community, not to a press conference,” she said.
“I am still working through what this party would allow me to do for the people I represent that I cannot already do as a community independent — and until I am certain, I will not pretend otherwise.”
Steggall and Spender said their party would engage with communities across the country in coming months and would support community-backed candidates and parliamentarians in both houses of parliament.
They said party registration was required to allow them to run Senate candidates. An application to register Community Strong Australia as a political party is expected to be finalised by October.
-with AAP
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