NDIS Estimates Begin Without Key Voice as Party Deadlock Persists

The Senate began its weekly estimates session on Monday without the party's disability spokesperson. Senator Jordon Steele-John, 32, will not attend the questioning of government officials regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme. His absence follows a dispute over his leave status that has remained unresolved for more than a week.

The conflict began earlier this month when The Nine newspapers reported a three-page letter sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge. The letter called for an independent investigation into allegations that Steele-John acted inappropriately toward women between 2017 and 2025. Shoebridge announced that the senator would take leave while an independent probe examined the claims.

Steele-John rejected the allegations and denied agreeing to step back. He accused an internal faction of the Western Australian Greens of playing nasty political games by releasing the letter to the media. He stated that he spoke publicly because he did not want his silence to be read as guilt. Shoebridge maintains that the senator agreed to take leave, but he conceded that he cannot compel the senator to do so alone.

Under party rules, only a secret ballot in which two-thirds of the party room votes to expel him would force compliance. That threshold requires more than seven members to support the move. Such a step would be drastic, and even if the Western Australian Greens' independent investigation cleared Steele-John, his standing in the party room would be badly damaged.

In a statement issued late Friday, Steele-John said he had explored taking part in the estimates digitally. He added that he had been informed that option would also be unacceptable. He said he would instead focus on the independent and timely investigation he hopes is soon commenced by the Greens WA.

The NDIS is due to undergo major changes between now and the end of the decade. Steele-John is well liked in the disability community, and his absence removes a key voice from the questioning of officials. The decision on forcing leave will reflect on Shoebridge's leadership as much as on party process.

The Greens pride themselves on consensus decision-making, and Shoebridge would need the party room's backing to pursue expulsion. His handling of the issue will set the tone for the rest of his leadership. Depending on his actions, it could lead to a bitter fight with Steele-John. The situation is fraught politically, legally and ethically, and there are unlikely to be any winners.