Full Breakdown
Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John Faces Internal Party Allegations and Independent Investigation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Allegations, Factional Tensions and Leave Dispute
Senator Jordon Steele-John, the Greens’ disability and mental-health spokesperson, has been accused in a letter from seven current and former Western Australian Greens members of inappropriate conduct toward women spanning 2017-2025. The letter, delivered to new Greens leader David Shoebridge, prompted Shoebridge to announce that Steele-John had requested leave from the party room. Steele-John denies taking leave and calls the complaints a “political game” driven by an unofficial WA faction. An independent review commissioned by the WA Greens and a referral to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC) are now under way.
Background & Context
The controversy resurfaced after media reports revealed a 47-page crisis-communications dossier first drafted in 2016. The document outlined how WA Greens staff would manage media coverage of any allegations against Steele-John and instructed monitoring of social-media discussion. Shoebridge’s office says the dossier was never seen or used by the federal leader’s team. Steele-John has linked the leak of the complaint letter to internal factional manoeuvring aimed at influencing upcoming preselection contests.
Timeline
- Mid-2026 (early October) – Seven party members send a letter to Shoebridge raising concerns about Steele-John’s behaviour.
- Following day – Shoebridge publicly states that Steele-John has requested leave and that the matter will be referred to an independent process.
- October 14 – Shoebridge and Steele-John appear together in the Senate.
- Subsequent days – Steele-John issues a six-page social-media statement denying the allegations, rejecting the leave decision and calling the leak “nasty political games.”
- Ongoing – WA Greens commission an independent investigation and seek legal advice on establishing an inquiry.
Data & Statistics
- Seven current and former WA Greens members authored the complaint letter.
- Allegations cover multiple incidents between 2017 and 2025 but lack specific detail.
- A 47-page crisis-communications dossier from 2016 was confirmed to exist.
- Police investigations into a sexual-assault claim resulted in no charges.
Official Statements & Responses
- David Shoebridge (Greens leader) said he accepted Steele-John’s request for leave, described the complaints as “extremely serious,” and pledged a “fair, independent and timely process.” He noted that the IPSC had been offered options for handling the matter.
- Senator Steele-John asserted he would participate in any investigation, emphasized that one complaint involved his own experience of family violence, and argued the letter’s timing was intended to influence preselection.
- Leon McGregor, chief executive of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS), confirmed the service had not received the letter but had offered referral options to the IPSC.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Leave status: Shoebridge announced Steele-John had taken leave, while Steele-John insists he never agreed to leave and asked the leader not to announce it.
- Specific allegations: The complaint letter mentions three matters but provides no detail; sources differ on whether any formal allegation was lodged.
- Document awareness: Shoebridge denies prior knowledge of the 2016 dossier, whereas the dossier lists senior federal staff as contacts. No record shows the document was shared with the leader’s office.
