Teals eye party structure to fill Liberal vacuum and counter One Nation

Changes to political funding and the need for crossbenchers to remain relevant are driving discussions but some independents are opposed

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It is a tag that has been unfairly – and incorrectly – attached to the band of teal MPs since their arrival en-masse in federal parliament in 2022, a slur deployed by their political opponents in an attempt to undermine their independence.

But four years on, at least some community independents are genuinely considering forming such an alliance in a move that would further reshape Australia’s rapidly shifting political landscape.

The Warringah MP, Zali Steggall , confirmed long-running rumours that there have been discussions about a new centrist party to fill the void left by the Liberals’ lurch to the right and to counter the rise of One Nation.

The teal MPs supposedly treasure their independence above all else: it is the very essence of their brand and a powerful point of product differentiation in a era of disillusionment with party politics.

So wouldn’t forming a party – even one that allows MPs to speak, vote and act freely – ruin that?

Independent MPs Kate Chaney and Monique Ryan clearly think so, releasing statements on Monday that effectively ruled out joining any new political alliance. The rookie MP Nicolette Boele also confirmed she would contest her north Sydney seat of Bradfield as an independent at the next federal election.

But Steggall has some support from fellow Sydney teals Allegra Spender and Sophie Scamps, who see merit in at least continuing a discussion.

New electoral laws that cap political donations and spending largely favour the major parties, making it more attractive for minor players to establish a party structure.

For example, the new laws mean independents can spend a maximum of $800,000 campaigning in their seat. But if the independents joined forces – and ran candidates in all 150 electorates – their party could tap into a national campaign budget, which is capped at $90m.

A party structure would also allow them to contest the upper house, which appears to be Steggall’s main target.

“I’ve always been open to having conversations to look … [at] how do we evolve and grow the movement? There’s been significant changes, right? I think, as an athlete, you always have to meet the field of play. Staying still is not how you keep winning,” said Steggall, a former Winter Olympian who entered parliament after defeating Tony Abbott at the 2019 election.

The second motivation goes to one of the perpetual challenges facing those on the crossbench: how to be relevant.

Labor’s 94 seats in the House of Representatives and the composition of the Senate has reduced the independents to largely peripheral figures in this term of parliament, with the exception of the high-profile David Pocock.

Teal sources believe that forming a party could give them greater prominence and influence and a bigger voice to counter the One Nation megaphone.

The party that Steggall envisages would be unnecessary if the Liberal party had not vacated the political middle ground, leaving what former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull described as a “vacuum” for the teals to fill.

A new centrist party could provide an exit route for moderate Liberals – both MPs and supporters – who no longer feel at home in what the party of Menzies has become.

Guardian Australia has learned a small group of former Liberal members participated in a Zoom call with independents earlier this year amid a growing sense of dread about the state of their party.

The discussion didn’t lead anywhere. It was clear to the ex-Liberals on the call that the independents were not a “homogenous” group that would fit neatly in a party.

But their appetite for something different has not been diminished.

“The country we love is in decline and we need a fresh, clear vision to move us forward,” said Hannah March, a former ministerial staffer in the Turnbull and Morrison governments who now works as a barrister in Adelaide.

“We need to ask ourselves whether we want One Nation to be His Majesty’s loyal opposition in Canberra and, if the answer is ‘no’, do something.”

For her part, Steggall denies courting Liberals and there is no evidence to suggest that any are preparing to swap blue for teal.

But the fact it is even being discussed speaks volumes about how rapidly Australia’s political landscape is shifting.