23-year-old Jordon Steele-John has just been confirmed as Western Australia’s newest Greens senator, casually becoming Australia’s youngest-ever Upper House parliamentarian in the process.
The High Court today confirmed Steele-John as the winner of a special count held by the Australian Electoral Commission, following the resignation of former senator Scott Ludlam over his dual citizenship.
Stunningly, the Macquarie University student says his election will necessitate him to take a break, recently telling Sydney radio station 2SER-FM “never has a gap year been more warranted.”
An avowed disability advocate, Steele-John says he will use his first-hand experience as someone with cerebral palsy to influence the lawmaking process.
“When we have diversity in that decision-making process then we get good legislation,” he told the station.
The new Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John meets the press #auspol pic.twitter.com/PRjz8Ni55A
— Stephen Dziedzic (@stephendziedzic) November 10, 2017
Steele-John is one of four senators to be announced after the citizenship SNAFU took its toll on Australian politics.
In Queensland, The Greens’ Andrew Bartlett is replacing the party’s own Larissa Waters, while One Nation’s Fraser Anning – who received just 19 first-preference votes during last year’s Federal Election – will replace climate denier Malcolm Roberts.
The selection of NSW Liberal Hollie Hughes, who was pegged to replace ousted The Nationals’ Fiona Nash, may need to be formally okayed by the full bench of the court come Monday.
