Community Strong Australia

Community Strong Australia
Abbreviation
  • Community Strong
  • CSA
FoundersZali Steggall
Allegra Spender
Founded25 June 2026; 4 months ago (25 June 2026)
Registered2 October 2026; 37 days ago (2 October 2026)
Split fromTeal independents
Ideology
Political positionCentre
Colours  Teal
House of Representatives
2 / 150
Senate
0 / 76
Website
www.communitystrong.org.au

Community Strong Australia (CSA) is an Australian centrist political party formed in June 2026 by Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender. It was registered with the Australian Electoral Commission in October 2026.

History

Background

The term "teal independents" generally refers to centrist and independent politicians who have found electoral success contesting seats with a history of representatives coming from the Liberal Party. At the 2025 federal election, six teal independents were re-elected or elected.

In May 2026, independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, along with Australian Capital Territory senator David Pocock, confirmed that they were in discussions about forming a new political party. Pocock later stated he would not join the party, like "teal independents" Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney.

An opinion poll conducted by Fox & Hedgehog in May 2026 showed a hypothetical "Teal Party" would receive 6% of the national primary vote.

Formation

On 25 June 2026, Spender and Steggall announced that the party would be known as "Community Strong Australia".

On 2 October 2026, the party was registered with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

Policies

According to Steggall, the party will focus on issues including housing affordability, cost of living, climate change, childcare, education, healthcare and social cohesion.

Members of Parliament

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jonscher, Samantha (25 June 2026). "'Not too impressed': Has Community Strong Australia stumbled at the first hurdle?". SBS News. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 24 July 2026. There's obviously an electorate out there for a centrist party that cares about the environment, but it's not a huge part of the electorate, and I think their name reflects how difficult that is.
  2. ↑ Lam, Lana (25 June 2026). "Independent Australian MPs form new centrist political party". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Wahlquist, Calla (23 May 2022). "Teal independents: who are they and how did they upend Australia's election?". Guardian Australia. Guardian Media Group. ISSN 1440-3765. Archived from the original on 22 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Teal independent Zoe Daniel loses Goldstein as Tim Wilson reclaims seat for the Liberal Party". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 May 2025. Archived from the original on 1 April 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  5. ↑ Tregenza, Holly (25 May 2026). "Independents confirm they are in talks to form alternative party". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 19 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Crowley, Tom (25 June 2026). "Teals Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall form new political party Community Strong Australia". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 June 2026. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "National Voter Sentiment Survey". Fox & Hedgehog. 31 May 2026. Archived from the original on 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  8. ↑ Grattan, Michelle (25 June 2026). "Teals Steggall and Spender launch new Community Strong Australia party". The Conversation. doi:10.64628/AA.a3t7cjm7f. ISSN 2201-5639. Archived from the original on 25 June 2026. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Registration of a political party Community Strong Australia" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 November 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  10. ↑ "Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender launch new party aimed at political centre, promising 'reason over rage'". The Guardian. 25 June 2026. Archived from the original on 25 June 2026. Retrieved 25 June 2026.