Jordon Steele-John, a Western Australian senator for the Australian Greens, has confirmed he will not attend parliament next week.
Allegations and Party Response
Historical complaints about alleged misconduct were publicly shared in media reports. These allegations span from 2017 to 2025, involving interactions with women at events and in professional settings.
A three-page letter, dated 13 October and first published by Nine News, was signed by seven members of the WA Greens. The signatories said they were made aware of multiple allegations of serious misconduct regarding Steele-John’s behaviour in the presence of women.
The letter references a 2024 Greens campaign event. The alleged victim reportedly did not report the incident due to fear of backlash. It also cites an allegation of serious sexual misconduct in 2025.
The letter includes a reference to a nickname — ‘feels on wheels’ — which the authors say reflects a pattern of inappropriate conduct.
The authors clarify that an allegation does not prove guilt. They say the letter is about ensuring all claims are investigated thoroughly, in line with party values and community expectations.
Steele-John’s Statement and Defiance
Steele-John responded in a public statement last Sunday. He denied the allegations and said he did not request leave from parliament.
He accused an internal faction in the WA Greens of releasing the letter to the media as a political move to remove him from the Senate.
Steele-John said any investigation into his conduct must be fair and thorough. He believes such processes should not be shaped by internal politics or factional actions.
He stated that a new precedent has been set: if an allegation is made against a senator, the individual will step aside from duties immediately.
Parliamentary Attendance and Virtual Options
Steele-John considered attending Senate estimates online. But officials said virtual attendance would be ‘unacceptable’ under parliamentary rules.
As a result, he will not attend any parliamentary sessions next week. His absence is not due to illness or personal reasons. It follows the public disclosure of the allegations and the party’s decision to launch an investigation.
Investigation Status
The WA Greens commissioned an independent investigation into the claims. The matter has been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC) for oversight.
Western Australian police closed their initial investigation in May. No criminal charges were filed. This means no formal legal action was taken.
Internal Party Dynamics
David Shoebridge, the national leader of the Australian Greens, said he accepted Steele-John’s request for leave. The decision came after seven party members wrote to him urging an investigation.
Shoebridge has not challenged Steele-John’s claim that the letter was released by an unofficial faction. The Greens have not released a formal explanation of how the letter was shared publicly.
Steele-John’s absence has raised questions about how parties handle internal allegations and how leadership decides when to disclose such claims.
The situation remains under review. No final conclusions have been reached. The independent investigation is ongoing.
For more on this development, see the original report at The Guardian Australia.
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Sources & further reading
Featured image: original publisher image. Via original publisher. Image source
