Zali Steggall says donation rules favour teals forming own party but other independents rule out idea

Zali Steggall says funding rules that disadvantage independents and looming changes to donations laws are factors in favour of “teal” independents forming their own party, but some fellow MPs have already ruled out the idea. Sources close to crossbench MPs say discussions about forming an alliance of independent politicians are not new and have been happening for months, but that there is no general agreement – even among the more closely aligned inner-city members referred to as teals – about such a plan. Guardian Australia understands Steggall has been among those crossbenchers most active in discussions about a party structure, while others are less convinced. The Kooyong MP, Monique Ryan, issued a more equivocal statement on Monday, noting she’d made a “commitment” to remain independent at the 2022 and 2025 elections, while the rural independent Helen Haines has ruled out joining any such party. The Curtin MP, Kate Chaney, also confirmed she would continue as an independent. “I am interested in working more collaboratively with other crossbenchers on policy – many of our communities have similar values – but right now I do not think that requires me to be a member of a political party,” she said. Steggall said on Monday there had been “conversations” among crossbenchers about how to work in “a collaborative way to be more effective”, citing the rise of One Nation and looming changes to political donation laws as key factors. …