Australia politics live: speculation teals may form new party; Gaza flotilla activists arrive home

Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall said to be exploring ways independents can work more closely together. Follow today’s news live

Teal party speculation ‘not a surprise’ says cabinet minister

Mark Butler says he’s not surprised to see speculation that the community teal independents could form a party – with the political spectrum in “flux” right now.

They’ve [teal independents] obviously made inroads in particular communities in Australia. They’ll make their own assessment about whether that works for them.

There obviously is a lot of flux in the non-Labor parts of politics right now, so to see speculation like that’s perhaps not a surprise.