Shoebridge says leave was agreed

Greens leader David Shoebridge said it was his understanding that Western Australian senator Jordon Steele-John agreed to take leave from parliament while misconduct allegations are investigated.

Steele-John denies the agreement

Steele-John released a lengthy statement on Sunday night saying he was not on leave and had never agreed to stay away from parliament, accusing Shoebridge of pressuring him.

“I am not on leave and did not agree to the inclusion of that line within David's statement.”

Allegations span eight years

Nine newspapers reported that seven party members demanded an investigation into allegations Steele-John acted inappropriately towards women between two thousand seventeen and two thousand twenty-five.

Steele-John claims pressure

Steele-John said Shoebridge repeatedly pressured him to request leave on Thursday as Nine's story was breaking, calling it a bad call from the leader.

“It was a bad call from David.”

Emergency meeting held

Shoebridge called an emergency federal party meeting on Monday morning. No decisions about Steele-John's immediate future were taken, with further meetings expected this week.

Independent inquiry underway

The Western Australian Greens are expected to finalise details of an independent investigation into the allegations by the end of the week. A separate referral has been made to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.