
John on leave after allegations of inappropriate comments
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the party room after reports of multiple allegations of inappropriate comments towards women spanning 2017 to 2025.
The Greens say WA senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave after reports of allegations that he made inappropriate comments towards women.
WA Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has stepped back from the party room after reports of allegations about his behaviour towards women.
A letter from seven party members sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge outlined multiple allegations spanning from 2017 to 2025.
Senator Steele-John has rejected the characterisation and referred the matter to the WA Greens for a fair and independent review process.
The Greens say WA senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the party room following reports he made inappropriate comments towards women.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that a letter from seven party members was sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge on Tuesday night.
The letter states the group has been made aware of "multiple allegations" against the senator that span from 2017 to 2025.
"These allegations all concern his behaviour in the presence of women," the authors wrote, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
"We are aware of multiple women who have taken up roles or volunteered in the party, who because of these allegations, have been warned not to … be alone with him."
One former WA Greens convener told the ABC that it was well-known within the party that there were concerns about Senator Steele-John's behaviour towards women.
In a statement to the ABC, Senator Steele-John said he had referred the matter to the WA Greens.
"I utterly reject this characterisation of me, which tries to assert I am someone I am not," he said.
"I have referred this matter to the WA Greens, so that a fair, independent process can be commissioned that upholds the principles of natural justice and ensures procedural fairness for everyone involved.
"These claims are made without specifics, any allegation of this nature is extremely serious and must be treated accordingly.
"If someone has made an allegation, I am prepared to address it."
Senator Shoebridge said the party was taking the concerns "extremely seriously".
"This matter needs to be resolved via a fair and independent review that ensures all parties are entitled to natural justice and procedural fairness," he said in a statement to the ABC.
"As Leader I want to make it clear that the integrity of the complaints process is essential.
"In the circumstances Senator Steele-John has requested leave from the Party Room and I have accepted it."
The ABC has been told Senator Shoebridge's office has consulted with the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service and the WA Greens.
He entered parliament in 2017 after then-WA senator Scott Ludlum was ruled ineligible due to his dual citizenship.
Senator Steele-John's portfolios include disability inclusion, health and mental health.
He has been one of the Senate's most vocal opponents to the government's NDIS cuts.
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