Jordon Steele-John Takes Leave as Greens Probe Allegations

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has stepped back from the party room. Multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the presence of women surfaced against him this week. The Jordon Steele-John story has since become one of Australia’s fastest-growing searches, climbing more than 1,000% in a matter of hours.

Here is what is known so far, based on reporting from the ABC and The Guardian. We also look at what happens next. For more political and legal developments, see our Law and Government section.

What Are the Allegations Against Jordon Steele-John?

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, seven party members sent a letter to Greens leader David Shoebridge on Tuesday night. The letter outlines multiple allegations spanning 2017 to 2025. All of them concern the senator’s behaviour in the presence of women. The report also says party figures had warned some women not to be alone with him.

It is important to note that these are allegations. The claims remain unproven, and he disputes them.

Steele-John’s Response

Steele-John says he “utterly rejects this characterisation” of his conduct. He has referred the matter to the WA Greens. He has called for a fair, independent process upholding natural justice and procedural fairness, and says he is prepared to address any allegation put to him.

In relation to one complaint, he says he was himself the victim of abuse. He says he has been working with WA Police on the matter.

He has taken leave from the Greens party room while the process runs its course.

How the Greens Are Responding

Party leadership

Shoebridge told a press conference on Thursday afternoon that the party is taking the concerns “extremely seriously”. He said he knew nothing about the allegations before receiving the letter on Tuesday. However, he gave no timeline for the inquiry. He also made no commitment that its findings would become public. His office has consulted the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service as well as the WA Greens.

WA Greens branch

The WA Greens branch said it is taking the allegations “very seriously”. It thanked those who came forward for doing so.

Reactions across parliament

Pauline Hanson described it as “a matter for the Greens”. She noted the allegations had been going around for some years. Matt Canavan said he expected the Greens party room to hold its members to the “same standards they expect of others”. He added that investigators should fully examine the allegations. Meanwhile, Greens senator Nick McKim said the investigation would ensure procedural fairness and natural justice for everyone involved.

Who Is Jordon Steele-John?

Steele-John entered the Senate in 2017. He replaced Scott Ludlam after the High Court ruled Ludlam ineligible over dual citizenship. In the Senate, he holds the Greens portfolios covering disability inclusion, health, and mental health. He has also been a vocal opponent of the government’s NDIS cuts.

What Happens Next for the Jordon Steele-John Inquiry

The Greens will commission an independent inquiry through the WA Greens. As a result, the next steps depend entirely on that process. No timeline has been announced. It also remains unclear whether anyone will publish the findings. For now, Steele-John remains on leave from the party room.

Why This Story Is Trending

Search interest in the senator’s name surged past 5,000 searches, with growth of 1,000%. That makes it one of Australia’s top law and government searches of the day. In addition, the story landed during a busy week in Australian politics. That timing kept it prominent across live coverage at major outlets.

For the wider news picture, see Market News and Global Market Insights.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

Sources: ABC News, The Guardian