The political future of Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John remains uncertain after the West Australian took leave from the party room amid allegations about his personal behaviour towards female colleagues.
Several party members have reportedly raised formal complaints about the senator making inappropriate comments to women between 2017 and 2025, which are now under investigation by the Greens.
Greens Leader David Shoebridge said the party took the concerns “extremely seriously” and had accepted Senator Steele-John’s request for leave.
“This matter needs to be resolved via a fair and independent review that ensures all parties are entitled to natural justice and procedural fairness,” Senator Shoebridge said in a statement.
“The Australian Greens take complaints seriously, and as leader I want to make it clear that the integrity of the complaints process is essential.”
“In the circumstances Senator Steele-John has requested leave from the Party Room and I have accepted it,” Senator Shoebridge added.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that a letter written by seven party members was sent to Senator Shoebridge on Tuesday night, outlining how the group was aware of “multiple allegations” involving Senator Steele-John.
Senator Steele-John told the newspaper that: “I utterly reject this characterisation of me, which tries to assert I am someone I am not”.
“I have referred this matter to the WA Greens, so that a fair, independent process can be commissioned that upholds the principles of natural justice and ensures procedural fairness for everyone involved,” he said.
“These claims are made without specifics, any allegation of this nature is extremely serious and must be treated accordingly. If someone has made an allegation, I am prepared to address it. “The letter says that victims of sexual and family violence should be at the centre of any investigation. I agree. In the one complaint of which I have been made aware, I am the person who experienced family violence. “I believe an allegation arises from a former relationship in which I was the victim of extensive, prolonged and deeply distressing domestic abuse.
“While I know disabled people in Australia are roughly twice as likely as people without disability to be abused, I missed the early warning signs of coercive control, and it took people close to me to realise that I was experiencing domestic abuse. “I have been working with WA Police to address the abuse I have experienced. As this process is ongoing, I do not feel able to go into more detail at this time.”
It is unclear whether Senator Steele-John is also taking leave from Parliament but revelations about the allegations has sparked discussion inside the Greens about whether he may now leave politics.