Steele-John Skips NDIS Estimates as Greens Stall on Forced Leave

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will not attend Senate estimates this week, leaving the party's disability portfolio unrepresented as internal disputes over his conduct continue. The 32 year old Western Australian senator will miss the session where officials answer questions on government policy, a gap that falls at a time of major changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Steele-John issued a statement late on Friday confirming his absence. He said he explored attending digitally but was told that option was also unacceptable. He stated he would instead focus on the independent investigation he expects the Western Australian Greens to commence soon.

The standoff began more than a week ago when The Nine newspapers reported a three page letter sent to party leader David Shoebridge. The letter called for an independent probe into secondhand allegations that Steele-John acted inappropriately toward women between 2017 and 2025. Shoebridge announced that the senator would take leave while the claims were examined.

Steele-John rejected that arrangement. He denied agreeing to leave parliament and accused a Western Australian faction of playing nasty political games by releasing the letter to media outlets. He said he spoke publicly to prevent his silence from being interpreted as guilt. Shoebridge maintains the senator agreed to take leave but concedes he cannot force the issue alone.

The party faces a procedural hurdle. Shoebridge said he needs a secret ballot in which more than seven members vote to expel Steele-John to force compliance. Such a move would be drastic and could damage Steele-John's standing even if the investigation clears him. The Greens rely on consensus, so Shoebridge needs broad support from the party room to pursue this path.

The dispute creates a difficult dynamic for the disability community, which has expressed support for Steele-John. No complainant has directly come forward, but the situation has drawn attention to how the party handles misconduct. The outcome will test Shoebridge's first major leadership challenge and set the tone for his tenure.