Greens senator Jordon Steele-John rejects claims as members demand the findings of the party's inquiry be made public
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that seven Greens members wrote to leader David Shoebridge about Senator Jordon Steele-John, covering claims from 2017 to 2025 of inappropriate comments to women. News.com.au reported that none of the seven is understood to be a direct complainant. SBS and the Canberra Times reported that he stepped aside from the party room and will not attend parliament. He rejected the claims and said one concerned a relationship in which he was abused. SBS reported Shoebridge would not say whether findings would be released. The Age reported a roughly 2400-word statement on Sunday night.
Parties usually keep internal inquiries confidential, but a public inquiry into a sitting senator shapes whether complainants come forward. Who commissions an investigation and whether its findings are published decides whether the process is seen as independent.
For voters, the case shows how a party handles complaints about its own members. If you have a complaint of your own, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the workplace regulators set out the formal steps.
Those pressing for publication, including two of the seven signatories as reported by the four Nine papers, argue transparency is the only way to trust the outcome. Their concern is that a private process lets the party control the story.
Steele-John says the claims are vague, include a relationship in which he was the victim, and that rumours were weaponised. Shoebridge noted that none of the signatories claimed direct knowledge, which supports waiting for the process.
Confirmed: the letter, the period it covers, the leave and the denial. Not confirmed: any specific allegation, the investigator or whether findings will be published. Watch for who is appointed and what the terms of reference say about release.
DailyDrop Australia edition No. 15 · Morning · MON., OCT. 19, 2026