community - 2026-06-25

Warringah MP Zali Steggall launches new party with Wentworth independent Allegra Spender

Source: manlyobserver.com.au

Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Wentworth independent Allegra Spender on Thursday formally launched a new federal party, Community Strong Australia, marking a significant shift for the community independent movement that has reshaped parts of Sydney politics in recent years. For locals in Warringah, it means their federal representative is now helping build a broader national vehicle aimed at extending the teal model beyond individual electorates.

Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Wentworth independent Allegra Spender on Thursday formally launched a new federal party, Community Strong Australia, marking a significant shift for the community independent movement that has reshaped parts of Sydney politics in recent years. For locals in Warringah, it means their federal representative is now helping build a broader national vehicle aimed at extending the teal model beyond individual electorates. The new party starts small. It has two MPs, does not yet have enough numbers for official party status in parliament, and so far has not attracted other teal crossbenchers. Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney had earlier ruled out joining, while newly elected Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele said on Thursday that “for now” she was remaining an independent, which was the “mandate” her electorate had given her. Steggall and Spender said Community Strong Australia “represents a positive vision for Australia’s future – one built from the ground up by communities, driven by integrity, evidence-based policy and a belief that better politics is possible”. They said the new network would support community-backed candidates and parliamentarians in both the...