Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has denied allegations of inappropriate conduct towards women and claimed he was the victim of domestic violence by a former partner who accused him of sexual assault.
The Western Australian senator made the claims in a lengthy public statement after seven Greens members reportedly wrote to party leader David Shoebridge raising concerns about alleged inappropriate behaviour spanning 2017 to 2025.
Steele-John said he had briefly dated the woman in 2025 before ending the relationship because he believed her behaviour was abusive. He alleged that, after the split, she made 56 calls and sent more than 700 messages over 55 hours.
He said the messages included “violent, abusive, and pornographic text, audio, and imagery”, and alleged that she threatened to damage his reputation unless he paid a $12,000 “invoice”.
The senator said a complaint was then made accusing him of sexual assault, including allegations that he had removed condoms without the woman’s knowledge during sex.
“This is just not true,” he wrote.
Steele-John said he voluntarily took part in a police interview and was later told the investigation had closed without charges being brought. He acknowledged that outcome might not reassure everyone.
“I also know that people accused of unacceptable behaviour often proclaim themselves to be the victim, and that some people will think this is what I’m doing,” he wrote.
He said the experience had left him frightened, particularly because the woman lived close to where he and his team worked in Perth.
“I don’t know how she will react to this statement, and I am really, really scared,” he wrote. “Honestly, as I write this, my body is rigid with fear.”
Allegations against Jordon Steele-John
Steele-John also responded to an allegation of sexual harassment at a Greens campaign event in 2024. He said the letter raising the concern provided no details about the alleged incident, making it difficult for him to respond or for anyone to investigate it.
He said he had referred the concerns to the Western Australian Greens and would co-operate with an investigation.
The senator also addressed the nickname “Feels on wheels”, which he said began after he became emotional while discussing disability rights. He described it as mocking his disability and emotions, but said it had later acquired a more serious implication that he had treated women inappropriately.
“Eventually, I was informed that this phrase, which mocked my disability and my emotions, had taken on a new, more sinister meaning: that I had treated women inappropriately,” he wrote.
The Western Australian Greens have confirmed the existence of a 47-page internal document concerning how the party should respond to media inquiries about historical allegations involving Steele-John.
The document was first drafted in 2016 and reportedly included advice on dealing with journalists, preparing responses and monitoring online discussions. Steele-John said it was intended to ensure that two women involved in an earlier interpersonal dispute were accurately represented and protected from further media scrutiny.
The Western Australian Greens said the historical allegations were not substantiated and that the women had not lodged a formal complaint. Mr Shoebridge’s office has denied making, using or seeing the document, saying the matters would be dealt with through a fair, independent and timely process.
Steele-John also disputed reports that he had agreed to take leave from the Greens party room. He said Mr Shoebridge had repeatedly pressured him to do so before the allegations became public, although he had told the party leader he might need time to care for himself, his team and his family.
“I am not on leave and did not agree to the inclusion of that line within David’s statement,” he wrote.
Mr Shoebridge has said Steele-John would remain on leave while independent investigations were completed, telling the ABC that the senator had indicated to him that he was on leave.
Steele-John said he supported a “robust, independent, and timely” investigation but warned against complaints procedures being used in internal political disputes.
“When processes meant to protect victims are turned into weapons in preselection contests, everyone loses,” he wrote. “Survivors become less likely to be believed. Real complaints are treated with suspicion.”
He said he remained committed to the Greens and intended to continue representing Western Australians, including through advocacy on disability rights, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and cost-of-living pressures.
