Greens Senator's Future Uncertain as Party Faces Leadership Test Over Misconduct Claims

More than a week after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women were reported against Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, his place in the party remains unresolved. The episode is also becoming a test of how its new leader handles a delicate problem.

David Shoebridge's first major challenge at the head of the federal Greens came earlier this month. The Nine newspapers reported that a three-page letter had been sent to him calling for an independent investigation into Steele-John. The letter referred to secondhand allegations that the Western Australian senator acted inappropriately towards women between 2017 and 2025.

Shoebridge announced that the 32-year-old would take leave while an independent probe examined the claims. For a progressive party that says it treats such matters seriously and fairly, the step appeared a natural one.

The situation grew more complicated within days. Steele-John rejected the allegations, denied he had agreed to take leave from parliament, and accused an internal faction of the WA Greens of playing "nasty political games" by releasing the letter to the media. He said he spoke publicly because he did not want his silence to be read as guilt.

Shoebridge maintains that Steele-John agreed to take leave, but he concedes he cannot compel the senator to do so alone. Only a secret ballot in which two-thirds of the party room, meaning more than seven members, voted to expel him would force compliance. Such a step would be drastic, and even if the WA Greens' independent investigation cleared Steele-John, his standing in the party room would be badly damaged.

The matter has immediate consequences for the coming week of Senate estimates, when senators question officials about government policy. Steele-John, the party's disability spokesperson, is well liked in the disability community, and the NDIS is due to undergo major changes between now and the end of the decade. He will not attend. In a statement issued late on Friday, he said he had explored taking part digitally but had "been informed that would also be unacceptable". He said he would instead focus on "the independent and timely investigation I hope is soon commenced by the Greens WA".

For many supporters inside and outside the party, allowing a federal member accused of sexual misconduct to continue public duties would have been hard to accept, even though no complainant has directly come forward. The concern is sharpened by the growth of the "manosphere" and a backlash against the #MeToo movement in mainstream society.

Whether adversaries of Steele-John raised the allegations for advantage in the state's pre-selection is part of the picture. Yet rumours have followed the senator throughout his time in office. Even if they are malicious, as he contends, standing aside while they are investigated would be the simpler course.

The decision on forcing leave will reflect on Shoebridge's leadership as much as on party process. The Greens pride themselves on consensus decision-making, and Shoebridge would need the party room's backing to pursue expulsion. His handling of the issue will set the tone for the rest of his leadership and, depending on his actions, could lead to a bitter fight with Steele-John. The situation is fraught politically, legally and ethically, and there are unlikely to be any winners.