David Shoebridge responds to Jordon Steele-John’s explosive statement as Greens hold emergency meeting
News Source
•Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:05:40 GMT
📰 What Happened
Greens leader David Shoebridge called an emergency party meeting on Monday. It followed a 2,400-word statement from Jordon Steele-John, who says he never agreed to take leave and accused his leader of a bad call.
Shoebridge says it was his understanding that leave was agreed. A spokesperson said he still believes leave is appropriate while an independent inquiry runs. No decision was made on whether the senator will attend parliament this month.
🔍 The Backstory
Last week nine newspapers reported that seven party members wanted an investigation into Steele-John's conduct towards women between 2017 and 2025. Shoebridge first said the senator had requested leave and he had accepted it.
Steele-John says he was pressured to request leave as the story broke. The WA Greens are setting up the investigation, and a separate referral went to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
🎯 Why It Matters
Voters judge parties on how they treat complaints, not just on what they promise before an election.
Greens leader David Shoebridge called an emergency party meeting on Monday. It followed a 2,400-word statement from Jordon Steele-John, who says he never agreed to take leave and accused his leader of a bad call.
Shoebridge says it was his understanding that leave was agreed. A spokesperson said he still believes leave is appropriate while an independent inquiry runs. No decision was made on whether the senator will attend parliament this month.
Last week nine newspapers reported that seven party members wanted an investigation into Steele-John's conduct towards women between 2017 and 2025. Shoebridge first said the senator had requested leave and he had accepted it.
Steele-John says he was pressured to request leave as the story broke. The WA Greens are setting up the investigation, and a separate referral went to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
Voters judge parties on how they treat complaints, not just on what they promise before an election.