Greens leader Shoebridge denies knowledge of Steele-John dossier

Senator on party-room leave pending independent investigation

Greens leader David Shoebridge has denied knowledge of an alleged 47-page dossier containing misconduct allegations against Western Australian senator Jordon Steele-John, saying the document was not “made by, used by, or seen by” his office.

The denial came in response to reporting by the Nine newspapers on Friday afternoon describing a “secret dossier,” first drafted in 2016, which contained allegations against Steele-John and guidance on suppressing their media coverage. The Guardian reported it has not independently confirmed the document’s contents.

“The office is committed to having the matters comprehensively investigated with a fair, independent and timely process,” Shoebridge said in a statement. “Everyone deserves a safe workplace, and all complaints should be considered in a fair and robust process.”

Steele-John confirmed on Thursday he would leave the party room after details of historical complaints about inappropriate comments made to women ranging between 2017 and 2025 were publicly aired in the media. The 32-year-old senator rejected the claims and said he had referred them to the Western Australian Greens for a “fair, independent process” that “upholds the principles of natural justice and ensures procedural fairness for everyone involved.”

“I utterly reject this characterisation of me, which tries to assert I am someone I am not,” Steele-John said in a statement.

Shoebridge told ABC on Friday morning he referred the complaints outlined in a letter to the parliamentary workplace support service, which he said was “unable to deal with it because of the circumstances and nature of the allegation.” The PWSS’s chief executive, Leonie McGregor, said the office had not been given the letter but had provided Shoebridge’s office with options, including referring the complaints to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission. Shoebridge has since made that referral.

The Western Australian Greens confirmed on Thursday they would “seek legal advice on how best to establish an independent inquiry” into the matters raised. A joint statement from co-conveners Giz Watson and Simone Collins and state director Dean Smith said: “Our party is built on the contributions of members, volunteers, staff and supporters, and every one of them deserves to feel safe and respected when they take part in our work. Maintaining that safety is a responsibility we hold seriously.”

Shoebridge said Steele-John would not return to parliament until the independent investigations had been completed.

“It’s my understanding that leave means leave,” he told ABC. “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.”