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Teal Independents Near New Party Launch, Seek Minor-Party Status

5/25/2026

38 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Teal independents led by Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall are in advanced talks to launch a new Australian party, possibly announcing within weeks.
Organisers have run polling research to prove viability while former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has been approached but will not be the party’s face.
If five of the six teal MPs join, the group gains minor-party status, giving its leader an extra $100,000 salary and travel entitlements.

History

Historical Context

Pauline Hanson founded One Nation in 1997, winning four Senate seats in the 1998 election and receiving $2.5 million of federal funding. That precedent inspires today’s teal independents—Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull—to form a breakaway group, hoping five of six MPs will trigger minor-party status and related parliamentary entitlements.

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Story summary

Teal independents led by Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall are in advanced talks to launch a new Australian party, possibly announcing within weeks.
Organisers have run polling research to prove viability while former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has been approached but will not be the party’s face.
If five of the six teal MPs join, the group gains minor-party status, giving its leader an extra $100,000 salary and travel entitlements.

1 / 2