Australia politics live: speculation teals may form new party; Gaza flotilla activists arrive home

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‘I’m always open’ to talks, says Steggall

One of the MPs at the centre of the teal party whispers, Zali Steggall, has given us a bit of a wink and a nod, confirming to the ABC’s RN Breakfast that there are conversations going on between the group of independents on forming a party.

Steggall says the discussions are looking at how they can work in a “collaborative way to be more effective in holding government to account”

Steggall ousted former Liberal prime minister, Tony Abbott in 2019 in the Sydney seat of Warringah.

The independent says that she’s considering different options but warns that not all the speculation in the media is correct – ruling out that she’s had conversations with other Liberals.

There are conversations [with independents]. That’s about all I can say at this point … I’ve worked with my fellow members on the crossbench a lot across both houses, the Senate and the House. And I can really see how we find efficiencies, we work together in supporting one another.

I’ve had discussions with David [Pocock], as I have with many others. Only independents, though, speculation about discussions with Liberals … I certainly have not had those discussions.

Steggall also says that she’s spoken to Malcolm Turnbull during her time as a parliamentarian, but not about this potential venture.

Wong departs for Quad meeting in India

Penny Wong will head to India today to meet with foreign ministers from India, Japan and the United States for the third Quad meeting in 18 months.

It’s expected energy security will be among the hot topics the four countries discuss amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The foreign minister noted the Quad partnership was “vital” in “uncertain times”.

She said:

The Albanese government will continue to strengthen Australia’s relationships and work even harder in new and existing coalitions like the Quad as we keep building Australia’s future in an ever less stable world.

At the last meeting in July 2025, the countries agreed to work together to diversify the global supply of critical minerals in response to concerns about China’s market dominance.

‘If it walks like a duck …’ Hume calls teal party the worst kept secret in Canberra

The Liberal deputy leader, Jane Hume, says that the teals in party talks has been the “worst-kept secret” in Canberra, arguing the group have acted like a party for a while.

She tells Sky News the move would be good for Labor and the Greens because the teals vote with them “70% of the time”.

Indulge me for a second to bring you some facts on this. It’s a claim the Coalition have made a lot, particularly during the last parliament and during the 2025 election campaign.

If you want to see how often the community independents actually voted with Labor or the Greens versus the Coalition – have a read of this very in depth fact check by my colleague, Nick Evershed:

Now back to Hume:

This is probably the worst-kept secret in Canberra, isn’t it? For a number of years, we’ve been saying that if it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. The teals have been a party since they began. They’ve had the same funding sources, they’ve had the same campaign teams, they’ve worn the same colours, but worse than that, they had the same slogan, and the slogan was about integrity, and that integrity has now simply been gone out the window.

Hume is asked whether she has been approached to join the new party, she says “absolutely not” and adds:

I think changing political parties is a little bit like changing football teams. I can’t understand why people would even consider it.

Treatment of Australians by Israeli forces and minister ‘disgraceful’: Butler

The health minister, Mark Butler, says the government has raised “in the strongest possible way” its concerns with the Israeli government over the treatment of Australian and international activists detained by Israel after their flotilla was intercepted in international waters.

He singled out Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir who was condemned internationally after posting a video of himself abusing the activists captured.

Butler told the ABC:

We have [raised these issues] in the strongest possible terms, both in Israel itself, but also with the Israeli ambassador to Australia here in Canberra.

The treatment of those Australians and people from many other countries as well has been disgraceful, particularly the behaviour of Minister Ben Gvir. We’ve raised our concerns in the strongest possible way. We’re really glad that the Australians are starting now to return home and reunite with their families, but this has been a particularly concerning event.

Teal party speculation ‘not a surprise’ says cabinet minister

Mark Butler says he’s not surprised to see speculation that the community teal independents could form a party – with the political spectrum in “flux” right now.

Speaking to ABC’s News Breakfast this morning, the health minister says (rather unsurprisingly) that it’s “a matter for them”.

There’s speculation this morning that Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall could be leading talks for a grouping of the independents. Independent senator David Pocock yesterday said he was open to a party forming to help counter One Nation.

Butler says:

They’ve [teal independents] obviously made inroads in particular communities in Australia. They’ll make their own assessment about whether that works for them.

There obviously is a lot of flux in the non-Labor parts of politics right now, so to see speculation like that’s perhaps not a surprise.

Welcome

Good morning, Krishani Dhanji with you for a busy sitting week ahead.

There’s lots on the agenda this week; the government is working on implementing its budget promises, which could see changes to capital gains tax discounts after widespread backlash from industry and investor groups.

The teal independents could band together to form a new party, says David Pocock. There are whispers conversations are happening behind the scenes – reportedly led by Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender – and that a new party could push back against the growing influence of One Nation.

Australian activists on board the latest Gaza flotilla are returning home after being detained in Israel. The group have alleged mistreatment and abuse by Israeli forces.

And it’s Senate estimates this week, which means department officials will face a grilling from pollies – and we’ll be watching eagerly. We’ll bring you all the juicy details as they come.