Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John Denies Wrongdoing, Blames Party Politics

Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele‑John has denied claims of misconduct toward women, alleging the party engaged in “nasty political games”.

The controversy erupted last Thursday when Greens leader David Shoebridge announced that Steele‑John, 32, had been placed on leave following a letter from seven current and former party members. The letter alleged “multiple allegations” of misconduct spanning from 2017 to 2025.

In a social‑media post on Sunday, Steele‑John rejected the allegations outright, stating he was not on leave and noting a police investigation into a sexual assault claim had closed without charges. He further criticised Shoebridge for mishandling the matter and pointed to the timing of the letter as evidence of political manipulation, arguing that it arrived “the day after we agreed on the timeline for the next preselection” ahead of the federal election.

The senator – who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair – referenced his nickname “Feels on wheels,” asserting it originally described his fervent advocacy for disability rights. He now claims it has taken on a “more sinister meaning” related to the alleged mistreatment of women.

According to the senator, a 47‑page dossier was created years ago to pre‑empt media coverage of the allegations, noting that neither of the two women at the center of the claims had formally lodged complaints. He acknowledged the accusations could damage public trust and vowed to act with transparency and accountability to restore confidence.

Shoebridge’s office confirmed the allegations had been forwarded to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission for further inquiry. An internal party probe has now been launched as investigations continue.