Steele-John misses NDIS estimates as internal dispute stalls leave vote

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John did not appear for Senate estimates questioning on the National Disability Insurance Scheme on Friday. His absence occurred more than a week after media reports surfaced alleging inappropriate behavior toward women between 2017 and 2025. The session was expected to address major changes to the NDIS scheduled for the remainder of the decade.

The dispute centers on whether the 32-year-old senator is currently on leave. Greens leader David Shoebridge announced that Steele-John would step aside while an independent probe examines the claims. Steele-John rejected this characterization. He stated that he never agreed to take leave and accused a faction within the Western Australian Greens of playing nasty political games by releasing a three-page letter to newspapers.

That letter, sent to Shoebridge, called for an independent investigation based on secondhand accounts. Shoebridge maintains that an agreement was reached. However, he acknowledged that he cannot compel the senator to sit out alone. To force compliance, the party room would need to pass a motion to expel him. This requires a secret ballot in which more than seven members vote in favor.

Steele-John serves as the party spokesperson for disability. He is described as well-liked within the disability community. His absence leaves a gap in the party's representation during a critical period for NDIS policy. In a statement issued late Friday, the senator said he explored attending digitally but was told that format was also unacceptable. He said he would instead focus on the independent investigation he hopes the Western Australian Greens will commence soon.

The situation creates a test for Shoebridge, who has led the federal Greens since earlier this month. The party relies on consensus decision-making. Shoebridge needs the backing of the party room to pursue such a drastic measure as expulsion. A forced leave decision would reflect on his leadership style as much as on the party's internal processes.

Supporters inside and outside the party argue that a federal member facing misconduct allegations should not continue public duties. This view is held even though no complainant has directly come forward. Steele-John contends that the allegations may be malicious, possibly tied to state pre-selection rivalry. He said he spoke publicly to prevent his silence from being interpreted as guilt.

The next step involves a vote within the party room. If the threshold of more than seven votes is met, Steele-John would be forced to comply. If the vote fails, he will remain in his current role. The outcome will determine how the Greens handle the ongoing investigation and the senator's future in parliament.