Community Strong Australia: Two Independent MPs Launch New Centrist Party
On Thursday, independent members of the Australian Parliament Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender officially launched Community Strong Australia in Canberra. The party emphasises "unity over division" and "reason over rage", and intentionally rejects traditional party leadership structures, relying on direct member voting instead of party line alignment.
The founders, both part of Canberra’s growing "teal" independent cohort, say the new movement will act as an "alternate political force" beyond the long‑dominated Labor‑Coalition dynamic. They cite a rise in right‑wing support, notably from One Nation and Pauline Hanson, as an impetus for creating a centrist option that addresses voters’ frustrations.
"We absolutely hear those grievances," Spender told reporters. "People are frustrated and tired of the status quo," and she added that if she were not in politics she would struggle with vote selection.
Steggall, who has held a federal seat since 2019 after unseating former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, echoed the sentiment:
"We don’t want the in‑fighting or the blame game. We want solutions that will make a difference to us," she said.
Key policy pillars for the party include housing affordability, cost‑of‑living pressures, climate change, childcare, education, and healthcare. The founders emphasise that the party will both welcome community voices beyond their own constituencies and resist influence from established political donors such as Climate 200.
Community Strong Australia is currently pending finalisation of its registration with the Australian Electoral Commission, which is expected to conclude in October. Sign‑ups and further details will be announced as the party gears up for upcoming elections.
