The Greens say WA senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the party room following reports he made inappropriate comments towards women.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that a letter from seven party members was sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge on Tuesday night.
The letter states the group has been made aware of “multiple allegations” against the senator that span from 2017 to 2025.
“These allegations all concern his behaviour in the presence of women,” the authors wrote, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We are aware of multiple women who have taken up roles or volunteered in the party, who because of these allegations, have been warned not to … be alone with him.”
One former WA Greens convener told the ABC that it was well-known within the party that there were concerns about Senator Steele-John’s behaviour towards women.
In a statement to the ABC, Senator Steele-John said he had referred the matter to the WA Greens.
“I utterly reject this characterisation of me, which tries to assert I am someone I am not,” he said.
“I have referred this matter to the WA Greens, so that a fair, independent process can be commissioned that upholds the principles of natural justice and ensures procedural fairness for everyone involved.
“These claims are made without specifics, any allegation of this nature is extremely serious and must be treated accordingly.
“If someone has made an allegation, I am prepared to address it.”
In relation to one of the alleged complaints, the senator said he was the victim of abuse and had been working with WA Police to address it.
Steph Hodgins-May and David Shoebridge addressed the media about the Jordon Steele-John allegations. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Senator Shoebridge said the party was taking the concerns “extremely seriously” and that the matter had been referred to the WA Greens, who will commission an independent inquiry.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Senator Shoebridge said he was unaware of any allegations against Senator Steele-John before he received the letter on Tuesday.
“I’ve dealt with it with the urgency which I think is appropriate,” Senator Shoebridge said.
“I will not be engaging in a running commentary on the matter, because it is going to a fair and independent and timely process.”
He did not put a timeline on the inquiry process or say whether the findings would be made public, and added that the integrity of the complaints process was “essential”.
Senator Jordan Steele-John has taken leave from the party room. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
The ABC has been told Senator Shoebridge’s office has consulted with the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service and the WA Greens.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan said he expected the Greens party room to hold its members to the “same standards they expect of others”.
“I don’t know any of the details here. Although any allegations of these nature should be fully investigated and appropriate action should be taken,” he said.
Senator Steele-John entered parliament in 2017 after then-WA senator Scott Ludlum was ruled ineligible due to his dual citizenship.
His portfolios include disability inclusion, health and mental health.
He has been one of the Senate’s most vocal opponents to the government’s NDIS cuts.