In brief
Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John has publicly denied a raft of misconduct allegations that surfaced in late October, stating he is not on leave and that a police investigation into a sexual‑assault claim was closed without charges. He has characterised the accusations as the result of "nasty political games" orchestrated by his party. Steele-John, who uses a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy, warned that the allegations could damage public trust and pledged to rebuild it through transparency. An internal party probe has been launched and the allegations were formally referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele‑John has denied claims of inappropriate behaviour towards women and accused his party of playing “nasty political games”.
Last Thursday, Greens leader David Shoebridge said Steele‑John had taken leave from the party room after a letter from seven current and former members alleged he had engaged in “multiple allegations” of misconduct between 2017 and 2025.
In an online post on Sunday, the senator denied the claims, insisting he was not on leave and that a police investigation into a sexual‑assault claim had concluded without charges.
An internal party probe has already been launched to look into the accusations.
Steele‑John, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was first elected to the Senate in Western Australia in November 2017.
In his reply, he said his nickname “Feels on wheels” was originally about his emotional support for disability rights but has been twisted to “a more sinister meaning” regarding alleged mistreatment of women.
He accused Shoebridge of mishandling the matter and questioned the timing of the letter, stating “it is no coincidence” that the allegations were sent to the leader the day after they agreed on the timeline for the next federal election preselection.
Soon after the letter, local media reported the party had drafted a 47‑page dossier years earlier that documented allegations against Steele‑John and how to manage media coverage if they ever surfaced.
Steele‑John said the dossier was meant to protect the two women at the centre of the claims—who had made no complaints—from “bombardment” by the media.
He acknowledged the allegations would damage public 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 the allegations had been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
