Formation of a New Political Alliance
Teal independent Zali Steggall has established a new political party named Community Strong Australia. The newly formed alliance currently consists of two members: Steggall, the Member for Warringah, and Allegra Spender, the Member for Wentworth. According to reports from June 27, 2026, Steggall stated that the party aims to usher in a "new era" of Australian politics.
Since its formation just days prior to the reporting date, Community Strong Australia has begun preparing for what it describes as an uphill battle to win seats in the Senate. The party is actively seeking to recruit independent MPs and candidates to back its efforts in the upper house, with the goal of boosting its chances of securing representation.
Efforts to Recruit Former Teal Colleagues
A central component of Community Strong Australia's strategy involves calling for former teal colleagues Zoe Daniel and Kylea Tink to join the new party. Steggall expressed hope that both women would return to parliament under her banner, describing them as "fantastic members for their communities" in comments made to reporters earlier in the week.
Addressing Electoral Changes for Kylea Tink
Steggall addressed the specific circumstances surrounding former MP Kylea Tink's departure from office. Steggall noted that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) abolished the seat of North Sydney before the 2025 election. As a result, a significant portion of that area was incorporated into Warringah, Steggall's own electorate.
"For Kylea, the hard thing was AEC abolished the seat of North Sydney [before the 2025 election]. That is, that a lot of that area is now part of Warringah," Steggall said. She added that she had spoken with Tink regarding the changes and stated, "it’s been a great privilege to represent that part of her community." The reports do not indicate whether Tink has responded to the invitation to join Community Strong Australia.
Encouraging Zoe Daniel's Return
Regarding former MP Zoe Daniel, who represented the seat of Goldstein, Steggall expressed a desire for her to run again in that electorate. Steggall praised Daniel's previous service, stating, "I think she really served the people of Goldstein well, represented them and was such a staunch advocate for the duty of care in relation to social media." As with Tink, there is no available information in the source material regarding Daniel's current stance or response to Steggall's invitation.
Senate Strategy and Party Composition
Community Strong Australia is currently operating with a minimal membership base of two elected officials. Despite this small size, the party has moved quickly to outline its plans for the Senate race. The organization is looking beyond its current roster to build a coalition capable of influencing legislative outcomes in the upper house.
The push to recruit independent MPs and candidates highlights the party's focus on cross-bench support. By seeking backing from independents, Community Strong Australia intends to increase its leverage in Senate negotiations. The strategy relies on consolidating support from former teal voters and like-minded independents who may have been displaced by recent electoral boundary changes.
Steggall's public comments emphasize the continuity of representation for communities affected by the abolition of North Sydney and the potential return of representatives to Goldstein. However, the success of Community Strong Australia in achieving its stated goals remains contingent on the willingness of former colleagues and independent politicians to align with the new party structure.