Senator Jordon Steele-John will not attend parliament while allegations against him are investigated, as Greens leader David Shoebridge again refused to say whether the results of an independent inquiry into the senator should be made public.
This masthead on Thursday revealed the senator had taken leave from the party room after a letter authored by seven current Greens members was sent to Shoebridge on Tuesday night regarding “multiple allegations” against Steele-John regarding “his behaviour in the presence of women” between 2017 and 2025. Steele-John strongly denies claims against him, describing them as non-specific.
The newly minted leader made brief media appearances on Friday morning insisting he was not aware of any allegations against Steele-John before the letter was sent and dismissing claims he had turned “a blind eye” to the senator’s alleged behaviour towards women, 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 on Friday. “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, only that the decision was made after “a discussion”. He went on to say the senator’s leave “means leave, and he won’t be coming to parliament”.
The party leader said it would be inappropriate for him to “set parameters” around an independent investigation into the senator commissioned by the West Australian Greens.
Both Liberal senator Dave Sharma and deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie said it was “appropriate” for Steele-John to take leave from parliament while allegations were investigated.
“I think, until these allegations are resolved, it would be appropriate for him to take leave from parliament as well as the party room,” Sharma told Nine’s Today show on Friday.
“I respect that he rejects these claims as he’s entitled to do. He’s entitled to contest these claims, but I think not to be a distraction … during this time, to make sure these allegations are properly aired, that would make sense.”
One Nation senator Sean Bell said Steele-John deserved “due process”, but added that he believed the Greens would not “give the same grace to anyone else outside their party”.
“I do hope in the future they start looking at these things more fairly and more bipartisanly. But what I find really interesting is the timing of all this. I mean, I think this is a flow and effect from the very bitter leadership challenge that we’ve just witnessed,” Bell told News24.
It is unclear whether the party, which has sole balance of power in the Senate, will be down a vote because of Steele-John’s absence – or who will be responsible for the senator’s health and disability portfolios. Former leader Larissa Waters’ vote has been paired while she is on medical leave.