In recent days, some federal independent MPs have said they would consider forming a new party.
It comes after a recent opinion poll predicted One Nation could win up to 59 seats at the next federal election if they remain on their current trajectory of support.
While a handful of independents have indicated support for setting up a party, others have distanced themselves from the talks.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Since late 2025, support for One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, has been on the rise.
The party won four seats at the South Australian state election in March, and secured its first federal House of Representatives seat at the Farrer by-election earlier this month. (The party has four seats in the federal Senate.)
A Demos survey of 1,500 people this month showed more than a quarter of respondents (27%) named Hanson as their preferred Prime Minister. Hanson was second only to current PM Anthony Albanese (34%).
A Redbridge Group opinion poll, published in the Australian Financial Review (AFR), suggested one scenario where One Nation could secure between 46 to 59 lower house seats at the 2028 Federal Election.
Independents
The rise of One Nation follows more than a decade of independents becoming increasingly influential.
2013: Independent Cathy McGowan wins the regional Victorian seat of Indi, held by Liberals since 1977. When McGowan stepped down, independent Helen Haines won the seat.
2018: Kerryn Phelps wins the historically Liberal seat of Wentworth at a by-election after former PM Malcolm Turnbull resigns.
2019: Zali Steggall defeats former PM Tony Abbott in Warringah, while the Liberals win back Wentworth.
2022: ‘Teal’ independents win several formerly safe Liberal seats. While not an official party, teals are a group of climate-focused independents, backed by the advocacy and fundraising organisation Climate 200.
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Steggall holds on to Warringah, while Allegra Spender wins Wentworth. David Pocock, who received Climate 200 funding but distanced himself from the ‘teals’, wins one of the two Senate seats for the ACT.
2025: All but one sitting independent wins their seat again, and ‘teal’ Nicolette Boele wins the safe Liberal seat of Bradfield.
Party talks
On Sunday, Pocock told the ABC he is open to potentially forming a party with other independents.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday evening that Steggall and Spender are “leading the push.”
Addressing this on Monday on ABC National Radio Breakfast, Steggall said she is “always open,” and that she “can see how there are many things we could do politically better and differently.”
Spender told ABC Radio Sydney on Monday she’s “had lots of conversations.”
Speaking to TDA on Monday, Pocock clarified that “there have been conversations” but he hasn’t “been leading any of [them].”
“I don’t think that I’m that likely to join something like that,” he said.
“Every independent is going to make their own mind up... that is the power of independence.”
Pocock said the talks were more to do with a “dissatisfaction with the solutions that are being put in place by the major parties” than One Nation specifically.
“People want and need something different,” he said.
Pushback
In a statement, teal independent Melbourne-based MP Monique Ryan said: “I will continue... in the capacity in which I was elected: as a community independent, voted for and answerable to the people of Kooyong.”
Similarly, teal Perth MP Kate Chaney released a statement noting she “intend[s] to continue representing the people of Curtin as a Community Independent.”
Boele told the ABC she is “open for discussion” on a formal alliance, but will contest the next election as an independent.
