Greens senator Jordon Steele-John takes leave amid allegations of inappropriate comments to women
ABC, the Guardian, The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Conversation reported that Western Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the partyroom. The Herald said seven staffers and members wrote to Greens leader David Shoebridge demanding an investigation into allegations of inappropriate comments to women spanning almost a decade. The Guardian said Steele-John rejects the claims and has referred them to the WA Greens for a fair, independent process. These are allegations; no findings have been made.
The Greens present themselves as a party that takes treatment of women seriously. How they handle a complaint against one of their own will be judged on process and speed.
There is no direct change for voters. If you have a complaint about workplace conduct in politics, parliamentary workplace support services exist.
Taking leave and referring the matter to an independent process is the right response.
Allegations are not findings, and the senator is entitled to a fair process before judgment.
The process matters more than the headline. Watch who runs the review, how long it takes and whether findings are made public. We will update when the Greens or the senator state an outcome.
DailyDrop Australia edition No. 12 · Morning · FRI., OCT. 16, 2026