Jordon Steele-John's position remains in limbo as Greens prepare for moment in spotlight

“It was a bad call from David. We’ve all made those in politics. So, to be clear, I am not on leave and did not agree to the inclusion of that line within David’s statement.” Senator Jordon Steele-John and Australian Greens leader David Shoebridge clashed over whether the senator agreed to take personal leave amid an independent inquiry into historical misconduct allegations.

Nine newspapers revealed that a confidential three-page letter had been sent to party leadership. It detailed secondhand claims that Senator Steele-John had acted inappropriately toward women between 2017 and 2025. Senator Shoebridge announced that his WA colleague had requested and been granted leave while the WA Greens initiated an independent inquiry.

Senator Steele-John rejected that account in a lengthy statement. He declared that he never agreed to step back from parliamentary duties and accused party figures of weaponizing vague complaints to influence upcoming pre-selections.

Disputed Leave and Internal Rebukes

The disagreement over Senator Steele-John’s working status exposed deep divisions within the minor party just weeks after Senator Shoebridge assumed the federal leadership. The party leader insisted that leave was the appropriate course of action. The senator pushed back against the announcement.

David Shoebridge — Photo: ABC News & Headlines

It was a bad call from David. We’ve all made those in politics. So, to be clear, I am not on leave and did not agree to the inclusion of that line within David’s statement.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, via social media statement

A spokesperson for Senator Shoebridge maintained that the leadership understood the arrangement differently. The leave request was appropriate under the circumstances.

Addressing Specific Allegations and Historical Files

Senator Steele-John addressed three separate matters raised in the internal letter. He rejected a sexual assault allegation stemming from a brief relationship in 2025. He stated that he volunteered to be interviewed by police and answered every question.

He addressed an unspecified claim regarding a 2024 Greens campaign event. He also addressed a disparaging nickname, feels on wheels, noting it began as a disability slur before acquiring a more sinister connotation.

The senator offered an explanation for a reported 47-page internal dossier dating back to 2016. The document was created following an earlier interpersonal dispute between himself and two friends to ensure that communications were handled consistently if rumors resurfaced.

Jordon Steele-John takes leave of Greens party room amid investigation

Pre-Selection Pressures and Party Dynamics

Senator Steele-John argued that the document’s release was designed to influence forthcoming party preselections and damage potential candidates.

With Senate estimates scheduled, the public optics of whether the senator participates in parliamentary proceedings present a test for Senator Shoebridge’s nascent leadership. The independent inquiry was commissioned by the WA Greens and referred to the Parliamentary Standards Commission to examine the claims.

Seven current and former Western Australian Greens staff members wrote to the federal leadership demanding an independent investigation into Senator Steele-John. Party adherents pointed to multiple accusations of inappropriate remarks directed at women spanning from 2017 to 2025.

Jordon Steele-John's position remains in limbo as Greens prepare for moment in spotlight — Photo: Theguardian

Senator Steele-John detailed that his former partner contacted him repeatedly following their separation. She placed dozens of calls and sent hundreds of messages containing aggressive and graphic content while demanding a payment.

The ensuing police report accused him of removing a condom during intimacy without consent. He firmly denied this assertion.

The federal leader’s office asserted that an agreement had been reached regarding his absence. Refuting those claims, the senator emphasized that the leader of the Australian Greens lacks the authority to unilaterally remove a senator from the party room, parliament, or formal party duties.

Figures noted ideological divides stretching from parliamentary moderates to more militant factions. Observers highlighted that pre-selection battles in Western Australia triggered branch friction as the state party prepares to fill vacancies.