Jordon Steele-John Stays Away From Parliament While Misconduct Probe Intensifies

A three-page confidential letter has triggered a formal pause in the parliamentary duties of Greens senator Jordon Steele-John. The document, which outlines specific allegations of misconduct, is now at the center of a dual review process involving both his state party branch and a federal standards body. Steele-John has confirmed he will not attend the Senate next week, marking a significant shift in his role following a turbulent week of public statements and internal party disputes.

The senator acknowledged that his decision to keep away is partly driven by a growing pressure from colleagues and party members. He stated that a clear precedent has been set for sitting parliamentarians to step back when facing such serious claims. Although he considered joining virtual committee hearings, he was advised that this format was also unacceptable given the current circumstances. His focus now remains on ensuring the independent investigation reaches a swift and conclusive end.

The controversy escalated when Steele-John posted the full letter on social media on Saturday afternoon. The text, originally sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge earlier this month, was subsequently removed by the senator. He admitted that while he initially felt the post was necessary to show he was not hiding from the issues, he is now unsure if that was the correct approach. He expressed sincere apologies for any additional stress the public release may have caused during this sensitive period.

The letter details two primary categories of allegations regarding his behavior towards women between 2017 and 2025. One claim involves an incident of sexual harassment at a campaign event in 2024, where the individual involved reportedly withheld a formal report due to fear of backlash. A second allegation refers to serious sexual misconduct in 2025, which Steele-John notes was raised by a former partner. Western Australian police reviewed this specific claim and closed the investigation in May with a finding of no charges laid.

Beyond the specific incidents, the document highlights a broader pattern of behavior described by a disparaging nickname, "feels on wheels." The authors of the letter emphasized that while an allegation does not equal guilt, they believed it was in the party's best interest to have every claim examined thoroughly. This push for transparency came amid a public disagreement with Shoebridge over whether the senator was on official leave. Shoebridge said the leave was accepted, a claim Steele-John has denied, noting he never agreed to take time off.

The situation has now moved into a formal procedural phase. The complaints have been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission, while the Western Australian Greens have commissioned their own separate independent investigation. This dual-track approach aims to provide a comprehensive review of the events leading up to the letter's creation. The outcome of these probes will likely determine the senator's future standing within the party and the broader Senate.

In a statement released last Sunday, Steele-John firmly rejected the core accusations and accused an unofficial faction within the WA branch of leaking the document to the media. He characterized the leak as a strategic move to play "nasty political games" to remove him from the Senate. Despite the internal friction, he maintained that any claims about his conduct should be handled with fairness and thoroughness, ensuring that the process remains impartial and focused on the facts.

As the Senate prepares for its next sitting, the absence of the Western Australian senator will be notable. The next few weeks are expected to be critical as the independent bodies gather evidence and interview parties involved. The resolution of this matter will serve as a test case for how the party handles internal misconduct and transparency in the future. All eyes remain on the progress of the investigations as the political landscape in Canberra reacts to the unfolding story.