Shoebridge denies knowledge of 'secret dossier' on Steele-John allegations

Australian Greens leader David Shoebridge has denied that his office knew about an alleged crisis management document dealing with misconduct allegations against Western Australian senator Jordon Steele-John.

The Nine newspapers reported on Friday afternoon on the existence of a "secret dossier", first drafted in 2016, which contained misconduct allegations against Steele-John and guidance on how to suppress media coverage of them. Guardian Australia has not independently confirmed the document's contents.

In a statement responding to claims that the federal leader's office had access to the 47-page document, Shoebridge said it was not "made by, used by, or seen by the leader's office". He said his office was "committed to having the matters comprehensively investigated with a fair, independent and timely process", and that "everyone deserves a safe workplace".

The WA Greens confirmed the document existed, saying it was created in response to allegations first made against the senator in 2016. The party said the allegations "were not substantiated and the named persons have never lodged a formal complaint", and that the internal document "outlines the management of communications about this matter".

Steele-John confirmed he would leave the party room on Thursday after some details of historical complaints about inappropriate comments made to women between 2017 and 2025 were aired in the media. The 32-year-old senator rejected the claims and said he had referred them to the WA Greens for a process upholding natural justice and procedural fairness, adding: "I utterly reject this characterisation of me."

Referral to standards commission

Shoebridge told ABC on Friday morning that he had 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 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. Guardian Australia understands Shoebridge has now referred the matter to the IPSC.

The WA Greens said on Thursday they would "seek legal advice on how best to establish an independent inquiry" into the matters raised. Co-conveners Giz Watson and Simone Collins and state director Dean Smith said every member, volunteer, staff member and supporter deserved to feel safe and respected.

Shoebridge confirmed Steele-John would not return to parliament until independent investigations had been completed. "It's my understanding that leave means leave," he told ABC.

Source: The Guardian World.