Steele-John misses key Senate session while party weighs forced leave

Senator Jordon Steele-John will not appear at Senate estimates this week, a week after allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women were made public. His absence leaves the Greens' disability portfolio without its spokesperson during a period of intense scrutiny on government policy.

The dispute began when The Nine newspapers reported that a three-page letter had been sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge. The letter called for an independent investigation into secondhand claims that Steele-John acted inappropriately toward women between 2017 and 2025. Shoebridge announced that the 32-year-old would take leave pending the probe, a move he described as standard for the party.

Steele-John rejected that arrangement. He denied agreeing to take leave and accused a Western Australian faction of the Greens of playing nasty political games by leaking the letter. He said he spoke out to prevent his silence from being interpreted as guilt. Shoebridge maintains the senator agreed to step aside but admits he lacks the unilateral power to force the issue.

The procedural hurdle is high. Only a secret ballot in which more than seven members of the party room vote to expel Steele-John would compel him to leave. Shoebridge has not yet called for that vote. If the party moves forward and the independent investigation clears Steele-John, his standing within the caucus could be severely damaged regardless of the outcome.

Steele-John issued a statement late Friday explaining his absence from the estimates session. He said he explored attending digitally but was told that arrangement was also unacceptable. He stated he would focus his energy on the independent investigation he hopes will begin soon.

The timing is sensitive for the disability community, which views Steele-John as a strong advocate. The NDIS is scheduled for major changes before the end of the decade. Supporters inside and outside the party argue that keeping an accused member on public duty is difficult to justify, even without a formal complaint from a specific individual.

The situation has become a test for Shoebridge, who took over party leadership earlier this month. The Greens rely on consensus decision-making, meaning Shoebridge needs broad backing from his colleagues to pursue expulsion. How he manages the internal process will define his early tenure as leader.