In politics, nothing is more important than numbers. If yours don’t count, then neither do you.
It is a crude aphorism, but it’s essentially why the newest and most disruptive force in politics that emerged 18 months ago – the teal independents – have disappeared from this year’s Power list. The teals remain powerful insofar that as long as they hold their seats, they keep the Coalition out of government. But their broader business model – an anti-Scott Morrison movement that harnessed anger over climate change, integrity and respect for women – has largely been negated by the Albanese government.