Steele-John skips Senate sessions while misconduct review concludes

Jordon Steele-John will sit out all four sitting days of the Australian Senate next week. The Greens senator confirmed his absence on Saturday after removing a social media post that contained a confidential letter detailing misconduct allegations against him.

The letter, dated October 13 and first published by Nine newspapers, was sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge earlier this month. It outlined claims that Steele-John behaved inappropriately toward women between 2017 and 2025. The document described a specific instance of sexual harassment at a 2024 campaign event, which the alleged victim did not report due to fear of backlash. It also cited a 2025 claim of serious sexual misconduct raised by a former partner.

Steele-John, 32, denied all claims in a statement posted late Friday night. He said he had considered attending Senate estimates virtually but was told that option was unacceptable. He described a growing chorus of voices urging him to stay away from parliament. He argued that a precedent had been set for keeping parliamentarians out after allegations were made, stating he would have taken these actions immediately if a complaint had been filed directly against him.

The senator admitted uncertainty about his decision to share the letter publicly. He said he saw the full text circulating online and did not want to appear as if he were hiding from it. He acknowledged he was now unsure if that was the right call and apologized for the additional stress it caused. He has since deleted the statement posted on Friday.

The situation has been complicated by a dispute over whether Steele-John is officially on leave. Shoebridge stated that Steele-John requested leave, which was accepted last week after seven party members wrote to him urging an investigation. Steele-John has denied agreeing to take leave. The complaints are now under an independent investigation commissioned by the WA Greens and have been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.

Police confirmed to Guardian Australia that the 2025 complaint was closed in May with no charges laid. The letter also noted a disparaging nickname for the senator, feels on wheels, which authors claimed suggested a reputation for inappropriate behavior. The letter stressed that an allegation does not equate to fact or guilt. Steele-John accused an unofficial faction within the WA branch of leaking the letter to remove him from the Senate, calling it nasty political games.