Zali Steggall expected to launch teal party after months of secret talks

Zali Steggall is poised to launch a new political venture as soon as this week after months of secret talks about the future of the teal movement.

But it may be a party for one, at least initially, as the prospect of a “teal party” continues to divide crossbench MPs.

A month after reports emerged of advanced talks between teal MPs about forming a new political alliance, Guardian Australia has been told an official announcement is expected as soon as this week.

As first reported in the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Steggall last week briefed teal MPs and prominent members of the independents movement about the case for banding together.

The Warringah MP’s presentation included polling and an explanation of the benefits of operating in a party structure, according to sources briefed on the project.

The discussions started after Labor and the Coalition last year teamed up to legislate new electoral laws – including spending and donation caps – that disadvantaged independents.

But the talks have intensified over the past six months as the rise of One Nation forces MPs to consider the best approach to remain relevant in the shifting political landscape.

Steggall declined to comment when contacted by Guardian Australia.

The winter Olympian laid out the case for a new party in an opinion piece last week for the AFR, arguing “Australians have changed, and our politics needs to keep up”.

“The success of the community independent movement suggests voters want politicians who are more accountable, more local and more responsive to their needs.

“The next chapter may not be about choosing between independents and parties, but combining the strengths of both.”

The structure of the mooted alliance is unclear although Steggall’s op-ed suggested it would differ from the “top-down” model of the major parties and candidates would be chosen by their communities.

Any party would likely target seats in the Senate, where crossbenchers have a greater chance of holding the balance of power and therefore influencing legislation.

Guardian Australia has been told Steggall’s fellow Sydney-based colleagues – Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps and Nicolette Boele – are open to the idea without publicly committing to it.

But Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney are firmly against.

Ryan reaffirmed her position when asked on Monday if she would join the “teal alliance”.

**“**Look, I think Australians are understandably really fed up with political parties and that’s why they’re looking for other alternatives. I don’t have any intention of joining a party. I’m very, very happy as an independent,” the Kooyong MP told Nine’s Today Show.