In brief
Jordon Steele-John, a 32‑year‑old senator serving Western Australia, has denied a 2017‑2025 misconduct dossier that alleges repeated inappropriate behaviour toward women. He maintains he is not on leave and says the sexual assault claim was closed by police without charges. Steele‑John has called the party’s timing of the allegations a political attack, and the Greens caucus has launched an internal investigation. Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission officials confirm the matter has been referred for review. The senator, who uses a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, describes the controversy as an attempt to undermine public trust.
Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele‑John has denied a packet of allegations that accuse him of inappropriate behaviour toward women, and has accused his own party of engaging in what he describes as “nasty political games”.
The claims, released last Thursday, were sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge by a letter from seven current and former party members. They cover alleged misconduct between 2017 and 2025. Steele‑John posted a rebuttal on Sunday, stating he was not on leave from the party room and that a police investigation into a sexual‑assault claim had been closed with no charges filed.
Following the release of the letter, the Greens caucus announced it had opened an internal inquiry. The senator, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, characterised the dossier as a political weapon aimed at undermining him before the forthcoming federal election.
In his response, Steele‑John noted that his “Feels on wheels” nickname—originally a reference to his passionate advocacy for disability rights—had gained a “more sinister” meaning in light of the current accusations. He warned that the dossier, created years earlier, was intended to prevent media “bombardment” of the women at the centre of the allegations, none of whom had formally complained.
The senator admitted the allegations could erode public trust but pledged to rebuild it through transparency and accountability. Shoebridge’s office confirmed that the allegations have been forwarded to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission for further review.
Source: BBC News
