Senate Absence: Greens Senator to Skip Session

Western Australian senator Jordon Steele-John will not be present in parliament next week. He has confirmed his absence as an investigation into serious misconduct allegations against him moves forward. This decision comes after a period of intense public scrutiny and internal party debate regarding his status and the handling of the claims.

Steele-John apologized for publicly sharing a confidential letter that detailed the accusations. He removed the post from social media on Saturday afternoon. The three-page document had been sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge earlier this month. The senator said he posted it to avoid appearing to hide from the information. He admitted he is unsure if that was the right move and expressed regret for any extra stress it caused. He denied all of the claims made against him.

The letter, dated October 13, cited multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women between 2017 and 2025. It mentioned a specific claim of sexual harassment at a campaign event in 2024. The alleged victim reportedly did not report the incident due to fear of backlash. Another claim involved serious sexual misconduct in 2025. Steele-John stated this was raised by a former partner and investigated by police, resulting in no charges. The letter also referenced a derogatory nickname for the senator, suggesting a pattern of behavior, while stressing that allegations are not yet proven facts.

Steele-John noted that a growing number of voices urged him to stay away from the floor. He argued that a precedent had been set for removing politicians after allegations, even before formal complaints were filed. He stated he would have acted the same way if the roles were reversed. He also clarified that he considered joining Senate estimates virtually but was told that would not be acceptable. He plans to focus on seeing the independent investigation through to its end.

The situation became more complex after a public dispute with Shoebridge. The party leader said he accepted Steele-John's request for leave last week. This followed a letter from seven party members urging an investigation. Steele-John has denied agreeing to take leave, saying his attendance for the rest of the year had been in doubt since that exchange.

The complaints are now under review by an independent investigator commissioned by the WA Greens. They have also been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission. In a statement last Sunday, the senator rejected the claims and accused an unofficial faction within the branch of leaking the letter to the media. He described the situation as nasty political games aimed at removing him from the Senate. He insisted that any claims should be investigated fairly and thoroughly.

Steele-John will remain away from parliament next week. The independent probes are the primary focus for both the senator and the party leadership. The outcome of these investigations will determine the next steps in his political role. The public is watching closely as the process continues.