Description:
Teal Independents are restoring democracy and integrity in Australia. Learn how they’re transforming parliament and what it means for your community.
Introduction: The Day Politics Changed in Kooyong
It was May 2022. In the affluent Melbourne suburb of Kooyong, locals gathered at polling booths with quiet determination. They would vote out a sitting Treasurer for the first time in decades.
That day, Monique Ryan, a paediatric neurologist turned community-backed independent, defeated Josh Frydenberg, signalling a political earthquake. But this wasn’t about Kooyong. It was a new movement powered by local voices, climate urgency, and a hunger for integrity.
This movement became known as the Teal Independents.
As the 2025 federal election approaches, they are back—stronger, more experienced, and more united than ever. But what exactly makes these independents so different? How are they reshaping Australia’s political system from the ground up?
The Problem: A Broken Political System
For decades, Australians have felt their voices drowned out by party politics, donor influence, and backroom deals. Our major parties often seem more focused on keeping power than serving people. Communities are left behind, climate change is ignored, and political trust is low.
Parliament House feels distant from voters’ everyday realities. Politicians rarely engage directly with constituents outside of election cycles. The policy is shaped in corporate boardrooms, not in neighbourhood halls. Many Australians feel politics is something done to them—not with them.
When Politics Hurts the People
In 2024, Olivia, a single mother from North Sydney, attended a local town hall hosted by her MP, Kylea Tink. She stood up and asked, “Why has it taken a crossbench MP to listen to us about local childcare issues?” The room went quiet. And then, people applauded.
This wasn’t a one-off. Across the country, constituents feel neglected. Communities feel unprotected and unheard, from climate disasters in the Northern Rivers to hospital closures in regional Victoria.
They ask: Why can’t Parliament work for us?
The answer? It can. And in electorates where Teal independents were elected, it already is.
Teal Independents and Community Democracy
Monique Ryan: Science, Service, and Standing Up for Kooyong
Dr Monique Ryan didn’t enter politics for power. She ran because her community asked her to. After decades in paediatric medicine, she understood public health challenges intimately. She also saw how political inaction on climate and integrity affected real lives.
Achievements in Parliament:
• Introduced bills targeting political donation reform.
• Advocated for stronger emissions targets aligned with science.
• Held regular community forums to shape her legislative priorities.
• Supported whistleblower protections and judicial integrity.
She famously told Parliament: “We need leaders who listen. Not donors who dictate.”
The Other Teals: Profiles in Integrity
Zali Steggall (Warringah)
• Former Olympian and barrister
• Introduced Australia’s first Climate Change Bill
• Fierce advocate for gender equality and respectful politics
Allegra Spender (Wentworth)
• Business leader with strong economic credentials
• Pushes for renewable energy transition and future-focused education.
Kylea Tink (North Sydney)
• Health sector leader
• Promotes active transport, healthcare reform, and transparency.
Sophie Scamps (Mackellar)
• General practitioner and public health campaigner
• Champions mental health, sustainable communities, and climate resilience
Kate Chaney (Curtin)
• Former corporate strategist
• Advocate for Indigenous Voice, campaign finance reform, and democratic participation
Each Teal MP brings lived experience, professional expertise, and a relentless focus on what matters to their communities.
New Candidates in 2025 Hoping to Join the Other Teal Independents
A new wave of Teal independents is stepping forward in seats like Higgins, Bradfield, and Sturt. Backed by local groups and Climate 200, these candidates include teachers, scientists, nurses, and community leaders.
New Teal Candidate for Dickson
One of the most significant developments for 2025 is the entry of a Teal candidate in the Queensland seat of Dickson, held by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. The candidate, whose professional background combines community health advocacy and environmental science, contrasts Dutton’s confrontational style and conservative policies.
Her platform focuses on:
• Strengthening local healthcare access, particularly in under-resourced suburbs
• Supporting renewable energy jobs for Queenslanders
• Promoting respectful politics and transparent government
• Listening to residents through local forums and policy panels
She stands for a bold alternative for voters disillusioned by party politics, offering evidence-based policies rooted in compassion, justice, and sustainability.
What unites these Teals?
• Refusal to take corporate donations.
• Commitment to community-led policy
• Strong climate action and public accountability
Rebuilding Democracy: The Teal Blueprint
Local First, Not Party First
Teals answer to communities—not party rooms. They hold citizen assemblies, use independent polling, and engage voters in policy development.
Integrity Over Influence
They fight for:
• Real-time political donation transparency
• Caps on campaign spending
• An empowered National Integrity Commission
Teal Independents Work Collaboratively
Teals work across party lines to get results. They don’t oppose for opposition’s sake. They negotiate in good faith—a rare quality in today’s politics.
Embracing Australia’s Dollar Sovereignty
Rather than obsess over budget surpluses, Teals support targeted investment in public services, infrastructure, and clean energy—backed by Australia’s capacity as a sovereign currency issuer.
Real Representation: Stories From the Ground
• In Curtin, a local disability advocate had direct input on NDIS reform through Kate Chaney’s community engagement program.
• In Warringah, school students drafted a climate submission read in Parliament by Zali Steggall.
• In Mackellar, Sophie Scamps organised citizen climate panels that shaped her position on renewable energy grants.
This is participatory democracy in action.
Summary: A Parliament for the People
The Teal independents stand for more than seats won. They stand for a shift in culture—from power-hoarding to people-hearing. Their stories are about courage, community, and a fierce belief that politics can serve the common good.
As 2025 approaches, they aren’t just defending their seats. They’re leading a democratic revival.
Q&A Section
Q: Are Teals left-wing or right-wing?
A: Neither. They’re community-first, focusing on integrity, climate action, and inclusion.
Q: Who funds Teal campaigns?
A: Mostly local donations and support from Climate 200—a transparent, crowd-funded initiative.
Q: Can Teals make a difference without a major party?
A: Absolutely. They’ve already influenced climate, integrity, and transparency debates, proving the value of an empowered crossbench.
Question for Readers
Do you think our democracy would be stronger with more community-backed independents?
Call to Action
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