Greens leader cannot force accused senator into leave without party vote

David Shoebridge, the leader of the Australian federal Greens, announced earlier this month that senator Jordon Steele-John would take leave from parliament. This decision followed a report by The Nine newspapers that a three-page letter had been sent to Shoebridge. The letter called for an independent investigation into secondhand allegations that the Western Australian senator acted inappropriately towards women between 2017 and 2025.

Steele-John, who is 32 years old, rejected the allegations within days of the announcement. He stated that he had not agreed to take leave and accused an internal faction of the WA Greens of playing "nasty political games" by releasing the letter to the media. The senator said he spoke publicly to prevent his silence from being interpreted as guilt.

Shoebridge maintains that Steele-John agreed to take leave, but he acknowledged that he cannot compel the senator to do so individually. To force the senator's removal, a secret ballot in the party room is required. More than seven members, constituting two-thirds of the group, must vote to expel him. Shoebridge described such a step as drastic, noting that even a clearance by the WA Greens would likely damage Steele-John's standing in the party.

The dispute has immediate consequences for the current week of Senate estimates, where senators question government officials about policy. Steele-John serves as the party's disability spokesperson and is well liked in that community. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is scheduled for major changes before the end of the decade, making his absence notable. He will not attend the hearings in person.

In a statement issued late on Friday, Steele-John said he had explored participating digitally but was "informed that would also be unacceptable." He stated he would instead focus on the independent and timely investigation he hopes will soon be commenced by the Greens WA.

The situation places a test on Shoebridge's new leadership. The Greens rely on consensus decision-making, meaning Shoebridge needs the party room's backing to pursue expulsion. His handling of the issue will set the tone for the rest of his time as leader and could lead to a bitter conflict with Steele-John. The matter is politically, legally, and ethically complex, with no clear winners expected.

For supporters inside and outside the party, allowing a federal member accused of sexual misconduct to continue public duties has been difficult to accept. This is despite the fact that no complainant has directly come forward. The concern is sharpened by the growth of the "manosphere" and a backlash against the #MeToo movement in mainstream society. Rumours have followed the senator throughout his time in office, and even if they are malicious, standing aside during the investigation would be the simpler course.