'Allegations of allegations': Greens senator takes leave amid misconduct investigation
News Source
β’Sat, 24 Oct 2026 02:50:50 +0000
π° What Happened
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John says he will not return to parliament next week, and will instead wait for an independent investigation into claims about his behaviour towards women. He denies any wrongdoing.
He said a growing number of people had urged him not to attend Senate estimates, and that appearing by video had also been ruled out. "I have decided not to return next week," he said in a statement on Friday night.
Steele-John called the situation "allegations of allegations" and argued a precedent had been set in which any MP can be kept out of parliament by claims alone. He also accused party factions of using the claims to influence a preselection contest.
π The Backstory
The claims cover 2017 to 2025 and were raised in a letter from seven Greens members to leader David Shoebridge, first reported by the Nine newspapers. No detailed allegations were set out, Steele-John says.
Tensions flared on Monday when Steele-John insisted he was not on leave, despite a statement from Shoebridge saying he was. Shoebridge's office says leave is appropriate and does not prejudge the matters under investigation.
Shoebridge replaced Larissa Waters as leader in September. He denies knowing about the claims before the letter.
π― Why It Matters
This is a live test of how a political party handles serious claims. Voters now wait to see whether the investigation clears the senator or finds problems.
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John says he will not return to parliament next week, and will instead wait for an independent investigation into claims about his behaviour towards women. He denies any wrongdoing.
He said a growing number of people had urged him not to attend Senate estimates, and that appearing by video had also been ruled out. "I have decided not to return next week," he said in a statement on Friday night.
Steele-John called the situation "allegations of allegations" and argued a precedent had been set in which any MP can be kept out of parliament by claims alone. He also accused party factions of using the claims to influence a preselection contest.
The claims cover 2017 to 2025 and were raised in a letter from seven Greens members to leader David Shoebridge, first reported by the Nine newspapers. No detailed allegations were set out, Steele-John says.
Tensions flared on Monday when Steele-John insisted he was not on leave, despite a statement from Shoebridge saying he was. Shoebridge's office says leave is appropriate and does not prejudge the matters under investigation.
Shoebridge replaced Larissa Waters as leader in September. He denies knowing about the claims before the letter.
This is a live test of how a political party handles serious claims. Voters now wait to see whether the investigation clears the senator or finds problems.