Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will not attend parliament while allegations about his behaviour in the presence of women are investigated, with party leader David Shoebridge again refusing to say whether the independent inquiry's findings will be made public.
Senator Jordon Steele-John will stay away from parliament while allegations about his conduct toward women are investigated, as Greens leader David Shoebridge again declined to say whether the findings of the independent inquiry would be made public.
It was reported on Thursday that Steele-John had taken leave from the party room after a letter signed by seven current Greens members was sent to Shoebridge on Tuesday night. The letter raises "multiple allegations" against Steele-John regarding "his behaviour in the presence of women" between 2017 and 2025. Steele-John strongly denies the claims, describing them as non-specific.
Shoebridge, the party's newly minted leader, made brief media appearances on Friday morning. He insisted he was not aware of any allegations before the letter was sent and dismissed claims that he had turned "a blind eye" to the senator's alleged behaviour, which the letter asserts was well known within the party.
"This is incredibly difficult times, and you know, I think anybody would think it is appropriate that leave be undertaken at a time like this," Shoebridge told ABC television. "I had a communication with Senator Steele-John, and he indicated that he would go on leave, and I accepted that from Senator Steele-John."
"I knew absolutely nothing until assuming this position as leader, and then when I received the correspondence, I acted with what I think is timely and appropriate urgency upon receiving the correspondence. That's my obligation, to try and ensure that these matters are dealt with fairly."
Shoebridge would not say whether he had directed Steele-John to take leave, saying only that the decision was made after "a discussion". He said the senator's leave "means leave". He has declined to say whether the inquiry's results should be made public.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case involves allegations of inappropriate conduct toward women over nearly a decade, and the response of a party that has made gender-based violence a signature issue.
- It is an early test for the Greens' new leadership, with David Shoebridge having recently won a partyroom contest.
- The refusal to commit to publishing the inquiry's findings leaves open a transparency question that could define the political fallout.
Background
Steele-John is a Western Australian Greens senator who entered parliament in 2017, the year the allegations are said to begin. Shoebridge, a New South Wales senator, recently became the party's leader after a leadership showdown reported last month. The letter from the seven members was delivered to him on Tuesday night, and the senator's leave became public on Thursday.
The Greens have campaigned prominently on women's safety and workplace conduct, which puts the handling of internal complaints under particular scrutiny. Independent inquiries are a standard way for parties to manage conduct allegations, but their credibility often depends on whether findings are disclosed.
Key Perspectives
The party leadership: Shoebridge says he acted with "timely and appropriate urgency" once the letter arrived, accepted Steele-John's leave, and has not confirmed whether findings will be released.
Senator Steele-John: Strongly denies the claims as non-specific, and his leave follows "a discussion" with the leader rather than a directive.
The seven members who signed the letter: Their letter asserts the behaviour was well known within the party, a claim that conflicts with Shoebridge's insistence that he knew nothing before receiving it.
Critics and observers: May push for the inquiry's findings to be made public and for clarity on what party figures knew and when, regardless of the inquiry's outcome.
What to Watch
- Whether Shoebridge agrees to publish the independent inquiry's findings.
- What the inquiry concludes about the allegations, and how long it takes.
- Whether further detail emerges about what was known within the party before the letter was sent.
- Whether Steele-John returns to parliament once the investigation concludes.