The British government has quietly signalled its support for a new centrist political alliance in Australia, as a group of independent MPs formally launched a party aimed at countering Beijing’s growing sway in the Pacific. The move underscores London’s strategic focus on reinforcing democratic institutions in the region, where China’s economic and military reach has expanded rapidly in recent years.
The new party, named the Centre Alliance, was announced in Canberra on Tuesday by a cohort of six independent lawmakers who previously held the balance of power in the Australian parliament. They have pledged a platform of fiscal conservatism, environmental stewardship, and robust national security measures, with a specific emphasis on reducing Australia’s reliance on Chinese trade and investment.
According to diplomatic sources, British officials have been in regular contact with the group’s leadership for several months. The Foreign Office has offered advisory support on policy formation and campaign strategy, though no formal funding has been disclosed. A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Canberra declined to comment on the record, but described the party’s emergence as “an organic development in Australia’s vibrant democracy”.
The decision to back a centrist alternative reflects a calculated British assessment that Australia’s two-party system has struggled to articulate a coherent response to Chinese assertiveness. The ruling Labor Party has been criticised for its cautious approach to Beijing, while the opposition Coalition is mired in internal divisions over its China policy. The Centre Alliance aims to occupy the middle ground, advocating for a pragmatic but firm line on security and trade diversification.
China’s embassy in Canberra dismissed the new party as a “product of external meddling” and warned that its policies could damage bilateral relations. Australia’s trade with China was worth A$300 billion in 2023, making Beijing its largest trading partner. However, the relationship has soured since the previous government banned Chinese-owned Huawei from the 5G network, prompting a series of trade restrictions from Beijing that have since been partially resolved.
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has sought to stabilise ties with China while also participating in the AUKUS security pact with Britain and the United States. The Centre Alliance has criticised these efforts as inconsistent, arguing that Labor has been too conciliatory on issues such as the leasing of the Darwin port to Chinese interests.
British support for the new party mirrors a broader trend of increased UK engagement in Pacific affairs. Since signing the AUKUS agreement in 2021, London has deployed naval assets to the region and opened new diplomatic missions. The UK has also sought to deepen the Commonwealth connection, using shared legal and educational traditions to bolster influence. The Centre Alliance’s leadership includes Oxford and Cambridge alumni, and several members have publicly praised British institutional models.
Political analysts caution that the new party faces significant challenges. Australian electoral politics have long been dominated by the two major parties, and third parties have historically struggled outside of niche left-wing or right-wing blocs. The Centre Alliance’s success will depend on its ability to build a grassroots base and secure sufficient funding for an nationwide campaign ahead of the next federal election, due by 2025.
Nevertheless, the British government’s backing provides a significant boost. It signals to voters and investors that the new party is a credible alternative, and it may attract additional support from other like-minded governments. The Centre Alliance has also courted the United States and Japan, seeking to position itself as the Pacific partner of choice for democratic allies.
In a statement, the party’s leader, former independent MP Zoe McKenzie, said: “We exist to ensure Australia’s future is not dictated by any single power. Our values are clear: liberty, security, and prosperity, built on strong alliances and a diversified economy.”
