Key Takeaways
- Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull backs the idea of a new centrist party built around the “teal” independents, citing a political vacuum created by the Coalition’s shift rightward.
- Teal independents Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall say voters are dissatisfied with the major parties and are open to evolving their collaboration, including the possibility of forming a formal party to run Senate candidates.
- Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney have ruled themselves out of joining any party, which reduces the immediate prospect of the grouping achieving minority‑party status in the House.
- Other crossbench independents—such as Sophie Scamps, Nicolette Boele, Helen Haines, Andrew Gee, Rebekha Sharkie and Bob Katter—are consulting their local communities before deciding whether to align with a new centrist structure.
- Opposition leaders dismiss the teal initiative as self‑servicing, arguing the independents have already behaved like a party and are abandoning their integrity‑focused platform.
- The debate highlights a broader tension in Australian politics: whether centrist, community‑driven candidates can organise into a sustainable party without losing their independent identity.
Turnbull’s Endorsement of a Centrist Teal Movement
Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has publicly backed the concept of a new centrist party built around the teal independents. Speaking on Radio National, Turnbull argued that the Liberal Party has drifted away from the political centre, creating a vacuum that the teal candidates have already begun to fill. He suggested that the teal MPs are the obvious candidates to lead or join such a movement, though he stressed that any decision to form a party rests with the independents themselves. Turnbull’s comments come after a Sunday report revealed that several teal MPs were in advanced talks about establishing a formal party structure.
Teal Independents Voice Voter Dissatisfaction and Openness to Change
Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall, two of the leading teal figures, addressed a press conference on Monday to explain why they are exploring new organisational models. Spender said voters are unhappy with the major parties and that “some different options need to be on the table,” whether that means evolving their current loose collaboration, forming a party, or simply working together differently. Steggall echoed this sentiment, noting that as voter frustration with the main parties grows, independents must consider how to be more effective in Parliament. Both emphasised that any shift would be driven by community appetite rather than a predetermined agenda.
The Practical Need for a Party Structure to Contest Senate Seats
A recurring theme in the teal discussion is the structural limitation of running Senate candidates without a registered party. Spender pointed out that while community‑based models work well for the House of Representatives, the Senate’s electoral rules require a party endorsement. This practical constraint has prompted the independents to examine whether a formal party could enhance their ability to influence national legislation, particularly on issues such as climate action, economic fairness, and social welfare that resonate with their voter base. Steggall added that the group is looking at “great models in front of community independents” but recognises the need to adapt those models to meet parliamentary requirements.
Turnbull’s Critique of the Liberal Party’s Rightward Shift
Turnbull used his platform to criticise his former party for chasing votes from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, arguing that this strategy alienates moderate voters and fuels the rise of fringe parties. He contended that the Liberal Party’s move away from the centre has directly contributed to the success of the teal independents, who were elected on platforms of climate action, integrity, and economic stewardship. By accusing the Coalition of “building up the vote for One Nation,” Turnbull positioned a centrist alternative as both necessary and timely, suggesting that the teal bloc could provide the moderate voice that many disenchanted Liberals are seeking.
Conversations with Moderate Liberals and Turnbull’s Denial of Direct Involvement
Sources familiar with the discussions told the masthead that Turnbull has raised the prospect of a new centrist movement with moderate Liberal MPs, exploring whether they might join or support such an initiative. On Monday, however, Turnbull denied being actively involved in setting up a new party, stating that his role has been limited to offering advice and sharing his perspective. Sources close to the independents confirmed that while some conversations have included Turnbull, others have proceeded without his direct participation, underscoring that the teal group is driving the process independently.
Ryan and Chaney Opt Out, Impacting Minority‑Party Prospects
Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney have explicitly ruled themselves out of joining any party or running as part of a formal grouping in the next election. Their decision means the teal independents will lack the numbers required to achieve minority‑party status in the House of Representatives, which currently requires at least six members. Without Ryan and Chaney, the remaining teal MPs would need to attract additional independents or moderate Liberal defectors to reach that threshold, a prospect that appears uncertain given the current stance of several crossbench members.
Community Consultations Among Other Crossbench Independents
Other independents are taking a cautious, community‑driven approach before committing to any new party. Sophie Scamps, the Mackellar MP, expressed disappointment that news of a possible party emerged in the media first and said she will let her electorate decide her future through surveys and “good old kitchen table conversations.” Nicolette Boele of Bradfield echoed this sentiment, stating that whether her efforts are best served through a formal alliance of community independents remains open for discussion. Regional crossbenchers Helen Haines, Andrew Gee, Rebekha Sharkie and Bob Katter have likewise indicated they do not intend to join any party at this stage, preferring to retain their independent status while monitoring developments.
Opposition Reaction: Dismissal and Accusations of Opportunism
The Coalition’s leadership has largely dismissed the teal initiative as a self‑servicing exercise. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor remarked that the teals have “already acted like a party for years,” suggesting their current behaviour does not warrant a new organisational label. Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson went further, telling Nine’s Today show that “no one actually takes this [teal] party seriously” and accusing the independents of pursuing their own survival rather than the national interest. Deputy Opposition Leader Jane Hume criticised the teals for allegedly abandoning the integrity platform on which they were elected, arguing that their move toward a formal party contradicts their promise to do politics differently.
Outlook: Balancing Independence with the Desire for Greater Influence
The ongoing debate encapsulates a fundamental tension in Australian politics: how to maintain the grassroots, community‑focused appeal of independents while achieving the organisational capacity needed to influence national policy effectively. Turnbull’s endorsement highlights a perceived opening for a centrist force, yet the teal group’s internal divisions—particularly the opt‑outs of Ryan and Chaney and the cautious stance of other crossbenchers—suggest that any move toward a formal party will be gradual and contingent on broad community support. Whether the teal independents ultimately evolve into a registered party, remain a loose coalition, or dissolve back into purely individual candidacies will depend on how successfully they can reconcile voter demands for change with the practical realities of Australia’s electoral system. Until then, the political landscape will continue to watch closely as these MPs navigate the crossroads between independence and institutional power.