# Greens senator takes leave over complaints

> Jordon Steele-John steps back from the party room after seven members demand an investigation into allegations of inappropriate comments spanning 2017 to 2025.
- Title: Greens senator takes leave over complaints · the Guardian
- Summary: Jordon Steele-John steps back from the party room after seven members demand an investigation into allegations of inappropriate comments spanning 2017 to…
- Keywords: jordon steele-john, australian greens, david shoebridge, western australian greens, investigation, complaints, australian politics, news, politics, Greens, senator, takes
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/15/greens-senator-jordan-steele-john-leave-investigation-complaints-ntwnb
- Published: 2026-10-15T04:00:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jordon steele-john, australian greens, david shoebridge, western australian greens, investigation, complaints, australian politics, news, politics
## Senator steps back from party
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the party room after complaints were made, triggering an independent review into his conduct.
## Seven members demand investigation
The Nine newspapers reported that seven party members demanded an investigation into allegations Steele-John made inappropriate comments to a number of women between 2017 and 2025.
## Steele-John rejects the claims
Steele-John said he rejected the claims and referred them to the Western Australian Greens for a fair, independent process. He stated: I utterly reject this characterisation of me.

> I utterly reject this characterisation of me, which tries to assert I am someone I am not
## New leader accepts the leave
Greens leader David Shoebridge confirmed Steele-John had requested leave from the party room and he had accepted it. Shoebridge said the party takes concerns extremely seriously.

> and I have accepted it
## Independent review to proceed
The matter will be resolved via a fair and independent review ensuring all parties are entitled to natural justice and procedural fairness, Shoebridge said.
## Key takeaway

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the party room after complaints triggered an independent review into allegations he made inappropriate comments to women between 2017 and 2025.