A push to establish a new centrist political party to challenge the Coalition has received a mixed reaction among the teal crossbenchers, with several Climate 200-backed independents distancing themselves from any move towards a formal structure.
Sydney-based independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, who respectively represent the divisions of Warringah and Wentworth, fronted the cameras on Monday to declare their openness to reshaping the teal movement into a political party.
“Some different options need to be on the table. Whether it’s an evolution, whether it’s a party, whether it’s just working together differently. I think this is what we need to be thinking about,” Ms Spender told reporters.
Appearing alongside her, Ms Steggall confirmed conversations had been held among Climate 200-backed MPs about how to bolster their political clout and tap into heightened voter frustration with the major parties.
“As an athlete, you always have to meet the field of play. Staying still is not how you keep winning,” she said, noting that looming changes to electoral spending and donations laws would make it more difficult for independents to be elected.
However, the remaining four Climate 200-backed independents appeared far less enthusiastic about joining a formal party.
Bradfield independent Nicolette Boele ruled out contesting the next election as part of a new political party but left open the prospect of a more formal alliance beyond the federal poll scheduled for 2028.
“Whether or not my efforts on behalf of Bradfield are best achieved through a formal alliance of community independents is genuinely open for discussion,” the Northern Beaches MP said.
Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps similarly stopped short of endorsing the proposal, saying any decision would be guided by consultation with her electorate.
“I’ve always engaged my community in open and honest dialogue on the issues that affect them, and this is no different,” Dr Scamps said.
Outside of Sydney, however, Climate 200-backed MPs actively distanced themselves from the proposal. Kooyong MP Monique Ryan and Curtin MP Kate Chaney both ruled out joining a political party, reaffirming their commitment to the community independent model.
“I have no intention of running in the next election as anything other than a community independent for Kooyong,” Dr Ryan told reporters in Canberra, while Ms Chaney said she intended to continue representing her constituents outside of a political party.
“I am interested in working more collaboratively with other crossbenchers on policy – many of our communities have similar values – but right now I do not think that requires me to be a member of a political party,” she said.
Speculation the teals could band together has circulated for months, with former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull – who remains a Liberal Party member despite attempts to expel him – among those encouraging the formation of a new centrist party.
On Monday, however, Mr Turnbull said he had no active role in establishing a new political party, but claimed the Opposition’s shift “away from the centre” had created the conditions for a centrist party to flourish. “I think there is a vacuum for an alternative centre party. Now, the teals would be obvious people to be part of that,” he told ABC Radio.
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