Independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender will form a new political party, Community Strong Australia, hoping to gain a spot in the Senate.

Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps and Nicolette Boele are understood to be open to the idea but other crossbenchers are firmly against

There is an inherent contradiction in community independents – who have thrived on a personal, hyper-local brand – forming an organised front.