Senator Steele-John misses Senate estimates as Greens weigh forced leave

Jordon Steele-John will not attend the upcoming week of Senate estimates. The Greens senator, who serves as the party's disability spokesperson, announced on Friday night that he would skip the questioning session. This marks the first time he has missed the session since taking office, a role he has held for several years.

The absence follows a dispute over his leave status. More than a week ago, The Nine newspapers reported that Steele-John had received a three-page letter. The letter called for an independent investigation into claims of inappropriate behavior toward women between 2017 and 2025. The allegations were described as secondhand, and no complainant has come forward directly.

Greens leader David Shoebridge initially announced that the 32-year-old senator would take leave while an independent probe examined the claims. However, Steele-John rejected the allegations. He denied agreeing to take leave and accused an internal faction of the Western Australian Greens of playing nasty political games by releasing the letter. He stated he spoke publicly to avoid his silence being read as guilt.

Shoebridge maintains that Steele-John agreed to the leave, but he concedes he cannot compel the senator to do so alone. According to party rules, forcing leave requires a secret ballot. More than seven members of the party room must vote to expel him to trigger compliance. Shoebridge has not yet called for this vote, leaving the matter unresolved.

The issue is politically sensitive for Steele-John's constituents. The NDIS is due to undergo major changes before the end of the decade, and Steele-John is well liked in the disability community. He said in a statement that he explored taking part digitally but was informed that would also be unacceptable. He said he would focus on the independent investigation by the Greens WA.

The next step involves the party room deciding whether to pursue the expulsion vote. If the vote passes, Steele-John would be forced to comply. If it fails, he will continue to hold his position. The decision will test Shoebridge's leadership and the Greens' consensus-based decision-making process.

Steele-John is scheduled to return to public duties after the estimates session unless the party forces his leave. The independent investigation is expected to begin soon, as Steele-John has requested.