Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has publicly addressed allegations of inappropriate conduct towards women, claiming he was the victim of domestic violence at the hands of a former partner who accused him of sexual assault.
The Western Australian senator has detailed his account of the relationship in a lengthy Facebook statement, alleging the woman bombarded him with hundreds of messages and threatened to destroy his reputation after their split.
The statement comes after seven Greens members reportedly wrote to party leader David Shoebridge, raising concerns about multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women by Steele-John spanning 2017 to 2025.
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The sexual assault allegation
Steele-John said he briefly dated the woman in 2025 before ending the relationship after recognising what he described as “abusive” behaviour.
He alleged that, following the breakup, she attempted to call him 56 times and sent more than 700 messages over 55 hours.
He said the messages contained “violent, abusive, and pornographic text, audio, and imagery”, and alleged she threatened to destroy his reputation unless he paid a $12,000 “invoice”.
Steele-John said a complaint was subsequently made against him alleging sexual assault, specifically that he had removed condoms without the woman’s knowledge on multiple occasions during sex.
“This is just not true,” he wrote.
Vehemently denying the allegations, he said he voluntarily participated in a police interview, spent hours answering questions, and was later informed that the investigation had closed with no charges.
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He said the abuse had left him with ongoing fears, particularly given 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.
“I am fighting the protective instinct to delete this and stay silent.”
Steele-John said he had initially hoped to share his account when he felt ready, but believed the political controversy had left him with little choice but to speak publicly.
He acknowledged the police 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.
The allegations against Steele-John
Steele-John also responded to other allegations made in the letter, including an alleged sexual harassment incident at a Greens campaign event in 2024.
Steele-John said no details about the alleged incident were provided.
“I’m really concerned to read this,” he wrote.
“At this point, I don’t know how I could respond, or how anyone would begin to investigate it.”
He said he had referred the concerns to the WA Greens and would participate in an investigation.
He also addressed the nickname “Feels on wheels”, which he said originated after he became emotional while speaking about disability rights.
He described the nickname as mocking his disability and emotions, and said it had subsequently taken on a more sinister meaning, with suggestions he had treated women inappropriately.
“Caring deeply about these subjects is something I consider a professional strength, and mocking this trait by tying it to my disability is an example of the kind of ableism and discrimination I continue to face in my workplace, as do many Disabled Australians,” he said.
“But I did my best to brush it off and get on with my job.
“Over the years, this nickname would periodically resurface like strategic clockwork, growing in lore each time.
“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. And now, in this letter, the existence of the nickname itself is the allegation.”
Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John has denied the sexual harassment claims. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP
The 47-page dossier
Steele-John also addressed reports about a 47-page internal Greens document outlining how the party should respond to media inquiries about historical allegations against him.
The document, first drafted in 2016, reportedly detailed strategies for managing media coverage, preparing responses to journalists, and monitoring online discussions among party members who raised concerns about the allegations.
Steele-John said the document was intended to ensure two women involved in an earlier interpersonal dispute had their accounts accurately represented and were protected from further media scrutiny.
“The whole point of the ‘47-page dossier’ was to make sure that what they said was believed and accurately reported,” he wrote.
He also questioned why the document had resurfaced, alleging it was being used to damage potential candidates ahead of upcoming party preselections.
The WA Greens have confirmed the document exists, saying the historical allegations were not substantiated and the women involved had never lodged a formal complaint.
Shoebridge’s office has denied that it made, used or saw the document, saying the matters would be subject to a fair, independent and timely process.
‘I am not on leave’
The senator also disputed reports he had agreed to take leave from the Greens party room, claiming Shoebridge had repeatedly pressured him to do so in the lead-up to the allegations becoming public.
Steele-John said he understood the pressure Shoebridge was facing as the party’s new leader, but felt he had been let down by the way the situation was handled.
He said he had told Shoebridge he might need time to look after himself, his team, and his family, but had asked him not to announce that he had requested leave.
“I was stunned by this,” he wrote, adding he had expected Shoebridge, an experienced lawyer, to recognise there was no procedural need for him to take leave in the absence of specific allegations.
“I am not on leave and did not agree to the inclusion of that line within David’s statement,” he wrote.
Shoebridge has said Steele-John would remain on leave while independent investigations are completed, stating he had responsibility for the Greens party room.
“I have responsibility for the party room and the Greens’ functions, and I have some capacity to direct in relation to the party room. But Senator Steele-John has indicated to me that he’s on leave, and that leave means leave,” Shoebridge told the ABC.
Steele-John said he welcomed an investigation that was “robust, independent, and timely”, but warned against using complaints processes to pursue 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. And the people who did this know it.”
The senator said he remained committed to the Greens and intended to continue representing Western Australians, including advocating on disability rights, the NDIS and cost-of-living pressures.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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