WA Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John won’t attend Federal Parliament amid an investigation into decade-long misconduct allegations about his inappropriate comments and behaviour towards women.
Senator Steele-John has also taken a leave of absence from the partyroom after the allegations emerged on Thursday, but he denies the claims that were made between 2017 and 2025.
Complaints and allegations from both inside and outside the party were outlined in a letter sent to Greens leadership on Tuesday evening by seven staffers and party members.
The scandal marks the first test for Greens leader David Shoebridge just a fortnight into taking the top job and has raised questions about what the party knew about the allegations.
Senator Shoebridge claimed the letter was the first he had heard of the allegations which have since been referred to the WA branch of the party for independent investigation.
But members of the Greens have raised questions about whether the party may have turned a blind eye to complaints about the Senator’s alleged conduct over the past decade.
“We are aware of multiple women who have taken up roles or volunteered in the party, who because of these allegations, have been warned not to… be alone with him,” the letter said.
The letter was sent by five current and former staffers, as well as two members of the party.
Prior to Senator Shoebridge’s elevation, Larissa Waters, Adam Bandt and Richard Di Natale all had stints as Federal leader across the timeline of the allegations.
Just hours after the claims first aired by News24 revealed a set of NSW Young Greens meeting minutes from 2018 which showed the party had been aware of the claims.
The youth wing of the State branch had directed all youth delegates to defer proposals regarding an investigation into sexual harassment claims against Senator Steele-John.
Senator Shoebridge had been a member of the NSW Parliament at that time before his move to the Federal team.
When asked on Friday if he would make the findings of the investigation public, Mr Shoebridge said it was a matter for the WA Greens.
“I’ve said before, it is not my job as the leader of the Australian Greens to determine this process,” Mr Shoebridge said.
“The parameters that we are very clear about is that it will be fair and it will be independent.”
But the freshly-minted leader clarified that Senator Steele-John would be keeping a distance from parliament during the investigation.
He also revealed that the party approached the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service — an independent investigative body — but were told they couldn’t deal with the matter because of the circumstances and nature of the allegations.
“And, therefore, the best way of dealing with this is with a fair, an independent, and a timely process done commissioned by the WA Greens,” he told ABC on Friday.
Questions by The West Australian about who will conduct the inquiry have not been answered.
In a statement on Thursday, WA Greens co-convenors Giz Watson and Simone Collins, along with state director Dean Smith, insisted leadership was taking the matter seriously and were seeking legal advice.
“Our party is built on the contributions of members, volunteers, staff and supporters,” they stated.
“Every one of them deserves to feel safe and respected when they take part in our work. Maintaining that safety is a responsibility we hold seriously.”
Senator Steele-John released his own statement on Thursday which claimed he is actually the one who experienced family violence in relation to a police complaint.
“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,” Senator Steele-John said.
“These claims are made without specifics, any allegation of this nature is extremely serious and must be treated accordingly.”
Senator Steele-John had been just 23 years old and Australia’s youngest ever senator when he entered Parliament, taking the place of Scott Ludlam when he resigned over his dual citizenship.
In his first speech to the Senate, Senator Steele-John had thanked Ms Watson for her “years of guidance and mentorship”.
“I would not be the person I am today and I could not be the representative that I hope to be without your influence in my life,” he had told the parliament.
Federal Parliament has only three remaining sitting blocks this year, with two primary blocks plus an extra dedicated week for Senate estimates.