Tuesday 31st March, 2020

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said the Government's failure to extend the $550 COVID-19 supplement to people receiving the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Carer Payment in Yesterday's $130 billion stimulus package was an indictment on their attitude to disabled people and carers.

"It's clear that this government is still not taking the needs of disabled people and their families seriously enough in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic," Steele-John said.

Thursday 26th March, 2020

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has again called for urgent action to ensure disabled people have access to clear information and the appropriate supports to get through this crisis, after the disability Royal Commission today put out a statement of concern about the impact COVID-19 will have on the disability community.

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has called on the government to implement a comprehensive action plan to ensure that everyone in the community has access to the right information and the appropriate supports to get through the COVID-19 crisis.

"Many people across our communities, especially disabled people and others who are at risk, are feeling worried and uncertain about the impacts the COVID-19 crisis could have on them and the people they love," Steele-John said.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has responded to the Prime Minister’s bushfire Royal commission announcement.

“This Royal Commission looks like a climate whitewash.”

“I’m sure the Commissioners will do their best, but Scott Morrison’s terms of reference are designed to skate over the climate crisis and minimise the Prime Minister’s own contribution to these coal-fueled mega-fires.”

“Climate gets only some passing references, but it should be centre stage.

Tuesday 17th December 2019

Our blind and vision-impaired communities are celebrating today, after years of campaigning alongside the Greens, that audio description will be made available on Australia's public broadcasters: the ABC and SBS.

Australian Greens Disability Rights spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said there are more than 450,000 blind or vision-impaired Australians who are currently unable to enjoy television with friends and family, or reap the medium's educational potential.

Australian Greens Disability Rights & Services spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said the vast majority of the government's reduced budget surplus of $5.1 billion - announced today in the Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook - was coming from a structural underspend in the NDIS.

"This is a government who is boasting about balancing their books on the backs of disabled people and our families," Steele-John said today.

I rise to speak on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Streamlined Governance) Bill 2019, and let me be clear from the very outset: the Greens are strongly opposed to this bill. Before I say any more, could I also say how proud I am of Senator Steele-John for his absolute passion, his work, his activism and his advocacy in this area.

Tuesday, 5th November 2019

Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John said he was extremely disappointed at evidence given by the Queensland Teachers' Union President, Kevin Bates, during this morning’s Disability Royal Commission hearing.

“I was absolutely shocked to hear Mr Bates confirm that the Queensland Teachers Union support the segregation of disabled children into ‘special schools’ and would be supportive of building new segregated schools in Queensland, contrary to the inclusive education policy of the Queensland Government,” Steele-John said.

Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia Jordon Steele-John has welcomed the official start of the election campaign, declaring the Greens (WA) have never been more prepared to deliver a genuine, progressive alternative to the major parties.

Senator Steele-John is up for re-election at the 2019 Federal election and he is The Greens (WA) lead Senate Candidate, and lead Spokesperson throughout the election campaign.