Greens senator takes leave after leaking confidential letter

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 24 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will take leave from parliament after publicly releasing a confidential letter containing allegations against him.

Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will take leave from parliament next week after publicly releasing a confidential letter sent to party leader David Shoebridge. The letter, from seven unidentified current and former Greens staff and officials, references 'multiple allegations of serious misconduct' against the senator spanning from 2017 to 2025, with the authors saying these allegations concern his behaviour in the presence of women.

Steele-John has rejected one allegation that he removed condoms during sex without consent during a brief relationship. He said the woman was coercive and abusive, and that a court issued a temporary family violence restraining order to protect him. On Friday night, he posted online that 'the precedent has now been set: any MP can be kept out of parliament by allegations of allegations', saying he had been informed he could not attend parliament by video call.

The senator said he is taking leave to focus on an independent investigation he hopes the Greens WA will commence. The letter's authors stated they were seeking to protect the party's reputation, maintain appropriate standards and policies, and protect party members, particularly female members. Steele-John said that had a formal allegation or complaint been made against him, he would have taken immediate action.

How it is being reported

• 'Allegations of allegations': Greens senator speaks outA Greens senator facing a conduct probe has decided not to attend parliament as details surrounding his "leave" spark a public party rift.Perth Now · 24 Oct, 03:05
• 'Allegations of allegations': Greens senator speaks outA Greens senator facing a conduct probe has decided not to attend parliament as details surrounding his "leave" spark a public party rift.The West Australian · 24 Oct, 03:05
• Senator Jordon Steele-John takes leave, calls out ‘allegations of allegations’WA Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will now take leave from parliament after he chose to leak a confidential letter which airs “allegations of allegations” against him.The West Australian · 24 Oct, 02:03
• Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John takes leave, calls out ‘allegations of allegations’Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will now take leave from parliament after he chose to leak a confidential letter which airs ‘allegations of allegations’ against him.Perth Now · 24 Oct, 02:03

In this story: Jordon Steele-John · David Shoebridge · Australian Greens · Western Australia

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