‘No fait accompli’: Steggall hoses down teal party hype

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Zali Steggall has downplayed reports that a new centrist political party is imminent, stating no final decision has been made despite growing interest from some independent MPs. The potential party aims to navigate recent electoral donation law changes that restrict campaign spending, but key independents remain divided on whether formalizing their coalition would enhance their political influence.

Zali Steggall, the first teal member of parliament elected in Australia, has tempered expectations surrounding the formation of a new centrist political party aimed at countering One Nation and addressing recent changes in electoral donation laws. Speaking amid speculation that a party was close to being officially established, Steggall emphasized that no final decision had been made.

Steggall, who represents the northern Sydney seat of Warringah and is a former Winter Olympian, stated she remains focused on serving her community while exploring how a more structured political organisation might better respond to the current political landscape. She questioned whether a formal party comprising like-minded independents would be more effective than the existing loose coalition of teal MPs, but declined to confirm any commitments from other MPs or prospective candidates. Some, including Allegra Spender, Nicolette Boele, and Sophie Scamps, have expressed openness to the concept. Steggall also did not comment on whether financial backers had been secured.

Momentum for a centrist party has grown following bipartisan reforms introduced last year by Labor and the Coalition, which tightened regulations on electoral donations and campaign spending—measures widely seen as challenging the election chances of independents. A formal party structure could allow current crossbench MPs to circumvent seat-based spending caps, providing increased fundraising flexibility and reducing reliance on progressive donor Climate 200.

However, not all independents share this view. Senator David Pocock of the Australian Capital Territory indicated he has no plans to join a more formal alliance of community independents at this time. “There’s clearly a lot of frustration with politics, a lot of anger out there,” Pocock said, adding that while people have encouraged him to take on broader roles, he prefers to focus on his constituents. “At this stage, I just don’t think it’s for me,” he told the ABC.

Independent MP Helen Haines echoed this perspective on Tuesday, stating that independents remain effective in their current form. Alongside Pocock and fellow independents Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, and Andrew Wilkie, Haines declined to sign on to any new party. “I have been quite clear that I was elected as an independent—three times—and I won’t be joining an alliance or a party,” she said, highlighting the ability of independents to unite around key issues and bring community voices into parliament.

As discussions continue, the future structure and influence of the so-called teal movement remain uncertain, with key figures weighing the benefits of formalising their cooperation against the value of maintaining independent status.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.