Australian Greens senator denies claims of misconduct towards women
Quick Look
- Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women dating from 2017 to 2025, stated he was not on leave, and accused party leader David Shoebridge of mishandling the matter and engaging in 'nasty political games'.
- An internal party probe has been launched, and the allegations have been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Jordon Steele-John, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was first elected to the senate in Western Australia in November 2017. His nickname 'Feels on wheels' originally referred to his emotional advocacy for disability rights but has taken on a more sinister meaning regarding the allegations.
An Australian Greens senator has denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women and accused his party of "nasty political games", days after the claims emerged.
Last Thursday, Greens leader David Shoebridge said Senator Jordon Steele-John, 32, had taken leave from the party room after a letter from seven current and former members said he had been accused of "multiple allegations" of misconduct between 2017 and 2025.
In an online post on Sunday, the senator denied the claims and said he was not on leave. On a sexual assault claim, he said police investigating the matter had closed the case and no charges were laid.
An internal party probe has been launched into the allegations.
Steele-John, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was first elected to the senate in Western Australia in November 2017.
In his letter responding to the claims, Steele-John said his nickname - "Feels on wheels" - initially referred to him being emotional when advocating for disability rights but had since taken on a "more sinister meaning" about his alleged mistreatment of women.
He accused Shoebridge of mishandling the matter and questioned the timing of the letter, saying "it is no coincidence" that the allegations were sent to the leader "the day after we agreed on the timeline for the next preselection" ahead of the next federal election.
Days after the letter with the claims was sent to Shoebridge, local media reported that the party had created a 47-page dossier years earlier that listed a number of allegations against Steele-John and how to manage media coverage if they emerged.
Steele-John said the dossier was made so that the media would not "bombard" the two women at the centre of those claims and that neither woman had made a complaint.
He acknowledged the allegations against him would have "damaged" the public's trust in him and said he was "committed to rebuilding that by acting with as much transparency and accountability as I can".
Shoebridge's office confirmed that the allegations had been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission will investigate the allegations and release findings within the next few months.
Likely · Within months
The Australian Greens will face internal pressure to preselect a different candidate for the upcoming federal election in Western Australia.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific actions constitute the 'multiple allegations' of misconduct?
- Why did the seven current and former party members wait to send the letter?
- What evidence was considered in the police investigation that led to the case being closed?
- What does the 47-page party dossier contain beyond the list of allegations?
