Former independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have announced the formation of their new political party, Community Strong Australia, kicking off a 100-day consultation period.
Community independents have always displayed some features and shared some benefits of political parties, while remaining distinct. These candidates have shared expertise, branding, and endorsed one another — all while maintaining their own independence and local organisations. They have also often held a unified position on key issues.
Community Strong’s constitution formalises this “party-like” organisation, eschewing leadership and formal grassroots members. So far, Steggall and Spender are the only teals to have joined the party.
Unlike most parties in Australia, Community Strong MPs will be able to vote freely on all issues except confidence and supply. Although unusual in Australian politics, which has notably strict party discipline, this sort of freedom is not unheard of in other jurisdictions. Endorsed candidates will share a set of core values, similar to existing requirements Climate 200 has for candidates they contribute funds to.
More unusual is the proposed leadership.
The party’s constitution revolves around parliamentarians and candidates as the key decision-makers, omitting centralised bureaucratic party leadership.
Parliamentarians and candidates will be the “voting members” of the party, endorsing any new members and providing collective leadership. Key decisions will be made through supermajority votes, a 75% threshold. With only two members, this means consensus. But if the party grows, it may become more complicated.
Instead of grassroots party members, Community Strong’s constitution preserves the loose affiliations and community focus typical of independent campaigns. The party will recognise and work alongside local teams, but these will remain separate entities.
Through these provisions, the constitution sets the new party up to work with the existing network of “Voices of” and community independent groups, rather than trying to supplant them.
Why start a party?
Spender has denied the formation of Community Strong was a response to the looming changes to spending and donation caps, but this remains important context.
Party membership will help candidates access more funds under the new regulations, which come into effect on January 1 2027. These policies have been decried as unfair to independents, and will particularly hinder the campaigns of new candidates. Similar Victorian laws were struck down by the High Court early this year, judged to be unfair.
Community Strong will also be able to endorse candidates for the Senate.
Independents have historically struggled to be elected to the upper house, as voters who wish to support an independent candidate need to vote below the line.
Independent Senator David Pocock registered his own party in 2021 so that he could be listed above the line.
Despite the potential advantages of party affiliation, most of the existing federal independent MPs have ruled out joining for now.
Kate Chaney, independent member for Curtin, has said she “doesn’t see any benefit”. Nicolette Boele, independent MP for Bradfield, has wished the party well but will not make a decision until she is certain of what membership would mean.
Former independent MP for Goldstein Zoe Daniel, who is the face of a court challenge to the new federal donation laws, is supportive but has noted there are risks.
The formation of this party takes place within a wider political context of declining votes for the major parties, broader long-term realignment in these electorates and rising support for One Nation. Community Strong’s policy agenda and approach to politics is shaped by this moment.
In introducing the party, Steggall argued:
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.
Community Strong’s policy commitments emphasise multiculturalism, economic productivity and tackling climate change. This represents a clear contrast with One Nation’s emphasis on “monoculturalism”, scrapping net zero and attacks on gender ideology.
Lessons from history
Community Strong sits within a historical tradition of centrist parties.
By far the most successful in Australia was the Australian Democrats. Founded in 1977 by charismatic former Liberal Cabinet Minister Don Chipp, the Australian Democrats maintained consistent representation in the Australian Senate between 1977 and 2008.
Like the current crop of independents, the Democrats were elected on socially liberal and economically moderate policies. The Democrats gradually lost support in the early 2000s, punished by voters for instability and supporting elements of the Howard government’s agenda.
More recent examples have not fared as well.
Nick Xenophon’s eponymous Nick Xenophon Team/Centre Alliance had short-lived political success. Despite electing South Australian senators and Rebekha Sharkie in the lower house – it was intrinsically tied to Xenophon’s personal brand.
In the UK, Change UK was a similar breakaway party of pro-European and centrist MPs from the Conservatives and Labour. The organisation was founded and then folded within a year, and none of its incumbent MPs returned in the 2019 General Election, due to low salience in the electorate.
These examples show the difficulties elite-led centrist movements have faced without clear leadership and grassroots ties.
To navigate these pitfalls successfully, Community Strong will need to preserve community connections within their electorates, maintain their independence and ensure intra-party stability.
