IN BRIEF
- Teal MPs are weighing closer coordination as spending caps reshape campaign competition nationwide.
- Critics warn a formal teal party could weaken the community-first identity behind the movement's rise.
Australia’s controversial new electoral funding laws may unintentionally push teal independents toward forming a political party, experts say, as changes designed to curb the influence of big money begin reshaping the country’s political landscape.
The prospect of starting a party is exposing tensions within the teal movement, with some independents confirming discussions about closer coordination, while others are reluctant to undermine the community-backed identity that helped propel them into parliament.
Experts say growing political fragmentation and the rise of minor parties such as One Nation may be creating space for a coordinated centrist movement made up of teal and other independents.
"There has been some commentary about political parties potentially having advantages compared to independents," Monash University associate professor of politics Zareh Ghazarian told SBS News.
"By shifting to become a party, a new movement would then be able to benefit from these incoming electoral laws."
He said the move could allow teal independents to establish a more recognisable national brand.
Steggall confirms talks underway
The teals are independents who broadly combine conservative fiscal outlooks with progressive environmental policies. Seven teal independents were elected to federal parliament in 2022.
Zali Steggall, independent MP for the Sydney seat of Warringah, told ABC radio on Monday she was open to the possibility of a teal party forming, but stopped short of confirming how advanced any discussions may be.
"I'm in my third term and after seven years in parliament, I can see how there are many things we could do politically better and differently," she said.
According to reports, independent MPs Allegra Spender and others have been involved in conversations over recent months.
Speaking to ABC Radio Sydney, Spender, who holds the Sydney seat of Wentworth, confirmed she has held discussions about the possibility of a new political movement. She said some voters are concerned about the lack of a strong opposition in parts of Australia and are looking for alternatives to the major parties.
While she said electoral funding reforms were a factor she had considered, Spender suggested any potential evolution would go beyond campaign financing, adding she did not believe voters wanted "a party like the major parties".
But the MP for the Melbourne seat of Kooyong, Monique Ryan, and the member for Curtin in Perth, Kate Chaney, have ruled out joining a party. Chaney has said her focus remains on acting as an independent and being "accountable to the people of Curtin".
Helen Haines, independent MP for the Victorian seat of Indi, has also reportedly indicated she would not be joining any prospective party.
Other independent MPs Andrew Gee, Rebekha Sharkie and Bob Katter have also ruled out forming a party.
Reports have also suggested independent senator David Pocock was approached about joining a potential centrist movement, although Pocock has long emphasised his independence and has previously rejected funding from Climate 200, the political action group that poured almost $11 million into the last election.
Why now?
The speculation comes after Labor and the Coalition backed major changes to Australia’s electoral funding laws, raising questions about whether independents may need to coordinate more formally to remain competitive.
The proposed reforms back caps on political donations and limits on how much candidates can spend during campaigns.
If they are implemented, independents would face strict spending limits within their own electorates, while major parties would still be able to pour money into broader national campaigns.
Some independents and campaigners fear the changes may make it harder for community-backed candidates to compete unless they start coordinating more formally.
According to Ghazarian, moving toward a formal party structure could also create risks for a movement built on independence and local identity, questioning how this model could work for independents.
"Political parties by their organisational characteristics require MPs to maintain a sense of cohesion and support the party’s overall policy agenda.
"But, by shifting to become a party, a new movement would then be able to benefit from these incoming electoral laws," he said.
Teals to counter One Nation?
Australian National University associate professor Jill Sheppard said the discussions appeared to be driven less by ideology and more by the practical implications of the new electoral funding laws.
Sheppard also noted teal independents had already demonstrated they could effectively share campaign resources, volunteers and staffing support informally, and said a more coordinated structure may be seen by some as a logical response to the changing electoral landscape.
"Reports are that the teals are doing this in response to a rapid rise in One Nation polling, but I can't see how this makes any sense ... I don’t think that One Nation voters are necessarily the same electorate that are going to vote for a teal party," she said.
A death knell for the Coalition?
The prospect of teal independents formalising into a political party has reignited questions about the future of the Liberal Party’s moderate wing.
The Coalition has already lost a string of once-safe urban seats to teal-backed independents campaigning on climate action, integrity reforms and gender equality.
At the same time, recent polling showing increased support for One Nation has intensified discussion about whether Australian politics is fragmenting into competing ideological blocs beyond the traditional two-party system.
Ghazarian said a more organised teal movement could emerge as a centrist counterweight, appealing to economically moderate but socially progressive voters who no longer identify with either major party.
"I think that has opened up scope for new parties, new challengers and new candidates to emerge."
Sheppard said the teal movement had drawn strong support from socially progressive and economically moderate voters.
But Ghazarian said much of the teal's success has to be associated with their local orientation, and that a move toward a national structure would likely raise complex questions about funding, governance, candidate selection and party discipline.
"The risk is that the message could become diluted and that original appeal may start to evaporate."
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