Independent MP Zali Steggall says she is open to the teals forming their own political party but has declined to say how far talks have progressed.Follow all the updates in our live blog.Collapse all postsFilter PostsAll13Key Events4Mon 25 May 2026 at 8:47amMon 25 May 2026 at 8:47am'He's clearly a masochist': Turnbull reacts to Abbott's election as federal Lib presidentBy Courtney GouldFormer Liberal PM Tony Abbott was elected unopposed as the party's next federal president over the weekend."He's clearly a masochist," fellow former PM Malcolm Turnbull joked when asked about it on ABC's Radio National Breakfast. "He's got a strong commitment to politics, so good on him."But Turnbull cautioned his party against adopting the mindset Abbott and other commentators have been pushing that the Liberals mistake was has been not being right wing enough.'They've been saying this despite every election sending sending them the message that a significant party of electorate feel they have gone too far too the right," he says.Turnbull says the fact the group of Teal independents were elected "tells you something that the voters are seeing is lacking in the Liberal Party".Mon 25 May 2026 at 8:40amMon 25 May 2026 at 8:40amTurnbull says he's 'not aware' of approaches to Lib moderatesBy Courtney GouldMalcolm Turnbull says he's not aware of discussions to poach moderate Liberals to join a potential new party.Speculation in the papers this morning suggested moderate Liberals had been approached to join the teal-led party. The former prime minister was asked by ABC Radio National Breakfast if he'd been the one to make the approach."I'm not aware but I wouldn't be surprised. Look, people talk about this stuff all the time but ... well, if there's something concrete being organised, I'm not aware of it," she says.Mon 25 May 2026 at 8:33amMon 25 May 2026 at 8:33amTurnbull denies 'active' involvement in push to create teal political partyBy Courtney GouldSpeaking of Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister has just dialled into ABC Radio National Breakfast. He's asked if he's had any discussions with some of the teal independents to form a political party. Turnbull say she talks to "a lot of people" including Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall. But he denies he's actively involved in the push. That being said, he acknowledges there is "absolutely an opportunity" for a new party to occupy the centre."People feel the Liberal Party has, you know, moved away from the centre. That is why the teals were elected. And the more the Liberal Party tries to chase and emulate and copy One Nation, the more it builds up the vote for One Nation," he says.He says that only legitimises One Nation. "This is exactly the mistake that the Tories have made in the UK," Turnbull says, reference the rise of Nigel Farrage's Reform party.Mon 25 May 2026 at 8:25amMon 25 May 2026 at 8:25amToo early to say how teal-led political party would look: SpenderBy Courtney GouldAllegra Spender doesn't want to "jump the gun" about how a teal-led political party would operate, or who would be its leader."There could be lots of different ways to do this," she tells ABC Radio Sydney. "Where I'm thinking about at the moment is just to have the conversations about what is possible to collaborate better in other ways of doing this that gives, you know, people more choices about … who represents them in a way that they feel is both connected to the community but where people are sort of collaborating … even more effectively I think to drive the national policy debate."Has Malcolm Turnbull been involved in this process, perhaps in sounding out Liberal moderates to join?Spender says that's up for Turnbull to say.Key EventMon 25 May 2026 at 8:15amMon 25 May 2026 at 8:15amSpender confirms she's also in talks about new political partyBy Courtney GouldFellow independent Allegra Spender has also been out and about this morning, confirming she's been in conversations about forming a new political party.Speaking with ABC Radio Sydney, Spender says people have approached her with concerns about the current political landscape."They look at states like South Australia and WA where there is no effective opposition. And ... a lot of people are saying, you know, we need to do something different," she says."So I've certainly had lots of conversations. Nothing more than that to announce at the moment."Spender's asked whether the conversations were sparked by the reforms to electoral donations laws. The laws cap donations and the amount candidates can spend on campaigns.She says it's something she "looked at carefully" but a formal party would go "beyond campaign financing"."The question is ... are there ways to better collaborate to evolve and how we work together or how some of us work together so that we can more explicitly align on certain areas and then where our communities and where we fundamentally disagree to have that freedom," she says."I don't think people want a party like we've seen it with the sort of major parties. I think if any evolution [it] wants to be something quite different."Mon 25 May 2026 at 8:06amMon 25 May 2026 at 8:06amElectoral reforms a factor at play as teal MPs consider political partyBy Courtney GouldSo how much of this idea to establish a Teal-led political party has been prompted by the new electoral funding laws?The reforms passed within the last term of parliament place a strict cap on spending and donations. Independent Zali Steggall says it was a consideration."That did also force me to look at the set-up and the disadvantage there is in being a community independent versus a major party," she said."There are many things that favor major party structures, and again, the public was incredibly cynical about that move, that it's yet again major parties trying to rig the game for their benefit."Key EventMon 25 May 2026 at 7:45amMon 25 May 2026 at 7:45amSteggall 'open' to teal-led political partyBy Courtney Gould(ABC News: Matt Roberts)Independent MP Zali Steggall has confirmed she's open to the teals forming their own political party but declined to say how far talks have progressed."I'm always open because, of course, I'm in my third term and after seven years in parliament, I can see how there are many things we could do politically better and differently," she tells ABC's Radio National Breakfast. She says discussions are looking at how the collective can work in a "collaborative way" noting that she's learned in her seven years in parliament she can see how there are "efficiencies" to be found in working together.Steggall also pointed to the Liberals installing the man she defeated in Warringah, former prime minister Tony Abbott, as federal president and the rise in One Nation.Asked how far along conversations were, Steggall declined to say."Well things are, you know, there are conversations. That's about all I can say."Mon 25 May 2026 at 7:30amMon 25 May 2026 at 7:30amWilson dismisses speculation Lib moderates could jump ship to join teal partyBy Courtney GouldBack to the speculation the teals independents could be looking to form their own independent party.There are reports in the papers this morning that independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender are the ones leading this push, and moderate Liberals have been also asked to join.Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson was the sole Liberal to win a seat back from the teals at the last election. Wilson doesn't buy that some of his moderate colleagues could be looking to jump ship."I don't think there's any chance of that because I think no one actually takes this party seriously," he says."It's about them achieving their own survival, not the good of the nation."Mon 25 May 2026 at 7:20amMon 25 May 2026 at 7:20amTreatment of Australians by Israeli forces and minister 'disgraceful': ButlerBy Courtney GouldA second Australian woman detained by Israel while on a Gaza-bound flotilla has arrived home in Melbourne. Some on the flotilla have alleged mistreatment by Israeli forces.Labor frontbencher Mark Butler says they have raised the matter with Israel and its ambassador to Australia "in the strongest possible terms"."The treatment of those Australians and people from other countries as well has been disgraceful, particularly the behaviour of Ben-Gvir. We've raised our concerns in the strongest possible way," he told ABC News Breakfast. "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."Key EventMon 25 May 2026 at 7:05amMon 25 May 2026 at 7:05amButler unsurprised by reports teals could form political partyBy Courtney GouldMeanwhile, there are reports a group of teal independents could form a new political party.Health Minister Mark Butler says that's a "matter for them" but the speculation "was not a surprise"."They've obviously made inroads in particular communities in Australia. They'll make their own assessment about whether that works for them," he tells ABC's News Breakfast. "We don't have a view. I don't have a personal view. We're getting on with our job as the Labor Party, a party in government."But obviously a lot of flux in the non-Labor part of politics right now. So to see speculation like that's perhaps not a surprise but it's not something we have a view about."Key EventMon 25 May 2026 at 6:55amMon 25 May 2026 at 6:55amGreens open to CGT inquiry as they take 'wait and see' approach to tax overhaulBy Lexie JeuniewicThe Greens have left the door open to sending the government's proposed changes to the capital gains tax (CGT) to an inquiry.Labor is hoping to have legislation for major changes to the CGT discount, along with negative gearing, passed by July.But the Coalition have already declared it will flight the reforms and want the government to hold a lengthy inquiry into the changes. It leaves the Greens as the only pathway for the government to pass the changes.Greens senator Nick McKim says the minor party is waiting to see the legislation before guaranteeing it'll back the changes."Tax changes are complicated," McKim tells AM."We're going to wait and see what the legislation looks like and then we'll work that through our processes including our substantive position on the legislation and whether or not we need another inquiry and if so, how long that inquiry should be." During an interview on ABC's Insiders yesterday, independent senator David Pocock backed the idea of further scrutiny of the reforms, particularly the contentious CGT changes."I think that is through a lengthy Senate inquiry where you actually delve into the detail and grapple with some of these trade-offs to ultimately land on a piece of legislation that is going to work," Pocock told David Speers."We've seen this worrying trend in politics where things are just rammed through parliament, rather than actually taking the time to get it right."Mon 25 May 2026 at 6:55amMon 25 May 2026 at 6:55amNew campaign to help 'break the taboo' of menopause: ButlerBy Courtney GouldA national campaign to help woman understand the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause will be rolled out by the federal government.Millions of Australian women are perimenopausal or menopausal and symptoms can include hot flushes and mental health changes.Health Minister Mark Butler says the campaign is to help "break the taboo" about taking about menopause."I can't count the number of women who've said to me, 'I had no idea what was going on' in their body and in their head," he told ABC News Breakfast. Butler says he was also shocked to hear medical students only received a "few hours of training" on menopause."This campaign is about raising awareness, particularly among young women but also among partners to understand the signs, to recongise those signs, to be able to do some research on our very detailed website now, or go and seek help if you think you need it."Mon 25 May 2026 at 6:50amMon 25 May 2026 at 6:50amGood morning 👋By Courtney GouldHi friends. Welcome to our daily federal politics live blog.I'm Courtney Gould from the ABC's Parliament House team, here and ready to guide you through the day.Parliament is back for what is expected to be a bumper sitting fortnight. While the government tries to get things moving on its proposed tax changes, senators and bureaucrats will be locked in another round of Senate estimates.Let's dive right in!