Greens senator unleashes on Government over NDIS move

A furious Greens senator has blasted a move by the major parties, days after Grace Tame slammed the Albanese Government for the same thing.

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John has unleashed on both Labor and the Liberals following a “disappointing” move on Tuesday night.

Mr Steele-John is the only federal politician who uses a wheelchair, yet his bid to become the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was voted down by the major parties during the fist sitting week of parliament.

Yesterday, Mr Steele-John took to Twitter to blast the Albanese Government and the Opposition following a contest for the Deputy Chair of the NDIS Senate Committee on Tuesday night.

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John hit out on Twitter. Picture: Jordon Steele-John/Facebook

“Disappointingly, the major parties joined together to uphold the status quo and elect Senator Hollie Hughes, instead of centring the lived experience of a disabled person,” he said.

“I know this news will be frustrating for so many members of our community who were expecting better from a government who told us how committed they were to centring disabled voices in the new parliament.”

Mr Steele-John said the Greens won’t stop fighting for inclusion and lived experience in leadership.

“We still don’t know who the new NDIA CEO or Chair will be. And with that uncertainty comes so much opportunity to call for what we want – true representation and authentic leadership. Nothing about us without us!” he said.

I know this news will be frustrating for so many members of our community who were expecting better from a government who told us how committed they were to centering disabled voices in the new parliament. #auspol

— Senator Jordon Steele-John (@SenatorJordon) August 10, 2022

He pointed out that he is still on the committee and is “fiercely dedicated to using my role to champion the transformation of our NDIS” for the better.

The Senator’s post comes just days after Grace Tame sensationally lashed out at the Government, branding it “elitist” and “whitewashed”.

The former Australian of the year took to Instagram on Sunday night to blast the Government for not allowing an AUSLAN interpreter on the floor of parliament and overlooking Mr Steele-John, who has cerebral palsy, for the role chairing the NDIS committee.

“Must be such a slog for these poor old, elected, ableist toffs to breathe in there, for all the privilege stifling the parliament,” Ms Tame wrote on her Instagram story.

“What a crock of w**k.”

Grace Tame has lashed out at the government. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

The former Australian of the year hit out on Instagram. Picture: Grace Tame/Instagram

Ms Tame then added that the general public “apologises for making any attempt to try and increase engagement” with the Government, branding parliament “elitist”.

“We’ll happily go back to ignoring your echo chamber of whitewashed white noise, if that’s what you’d prefer,” she said.

This post showed a marked difference from the words of praise she offered Anthony Albanese when he won the 2022 election.

Taking to social media after Mr Albanese’s win over Scott Morrison, the 2021 Australian of the Year posted a photo of her and the incoming PM, both smiling.

“A grateful nation is crying with you. And who said I didn’t smile at the Prime Minister?” Tame captioned the photo.

“Here’s to inclusion, integrity, diversity, truth, equity, respect, safety and change. A better future. For all of us. For the planet. Congratulations to [Mr Albanese] and to the people of Australia – for a triumph over corruption and abuse. A triumph of hope. Today was a victory for us all.”

Ms Tame, an advocate for survivors of sexual assault, famously did not smile with Mr Morrison in a photo at The Lodge in January.

Originally published as Greens senator unleashes on Government over NDIS move