Shoebridge says Steele-John’s social media posts ‘obviously not the way to resolve’ issue

Greens leader David Shoebridge has delivered a thinly veiled rebuke to his under-pressure senator Jordon Steele-John, stating that publishing confidential letters on social media in the midst of an ongoing inquiry is “obviously not the way to resolve an issue like this”.

And he has declared all women deserve to feel safe to come forward and speak to the independent inquiry that is examining allegations that Steele-John spoke inappropriately towards women.

The new Greens leader also reaffirmed his opposition to sending arms to Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression, and instead called for an end to “blood money going to Russia” through the purchase of Russian fuel.

Steele-John on the weekend published on his social media a letter sent to Shoebridge by seven current and former Greens members and political staffers that contained the initial allegations. He then deleted it and apologised after protests in the comments that he was breaching confidentiality.

This masthead revealed the existence of the letter and then reported details of a secret dossier used to handle media inquiries and complaints from Greens members about Steele-John. On Tuesday, a woman cited in the letter came forward expressing dismay the WA senator went public with details about their relationship.

Steele-John is on leave from parliament this week after publishing an open letter on October 17 alleging Shoebridge had pressured him into taking time out. Shoebridge has said that “community expectations” were that the WA senator should not return until an independent inquiry by law firm Modern Legal into the allegations had concluded.

Addressing the National Press Club for the first time as party leader on Wednesday, Shoebridge said that publishing that correspondence was the wrong call by Steele-John, though he did not mention him by name.

“In terms of social media posts or media discussions, that is obviously not the way to resolve an issue like this. It is not the way. This needs to be dealt with the respect and the dignity and the care that it’s entitled to. And that is an independent inquiry,” Shoebridge said.

“Politics needs to be safe for women, needs to be safe for all of us. This is determined by ... people knowing that it’s independent, that it’s safe to cooperate with.

“Women and all of us deserve a safe space and I’m doing everything I can to ensure that they have that assurance by this independent inquiry.”

Asked if the Greens had workplace culture issues after a series of allegations dating back to 2021 directed against former Greens senators Lidia Thorpe and Dorinda Cox, who have both left the party, Shoebridge said he was dealing with the current allegations against Steele-John. Shoebridge became leader at the end of September when Larissa Waters stepped down to deal with a health issue.

“When it comes to the allegations against Senator Steele-John, I deal with that with as much integrity and fairness as you can ... we are 100 per cent committed to working in that place [Parliament House] to build the safest culture we can. And that’s an ongoing commitment you’ll get from me as leader of the party,” Shoebridge said.

Earlier this month, this masthead revealed that Shoebridge did not support supplying military aid to Ukraine. Fellow Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young then contradicted that position and backed arming Ukraine.

In a fiery exchange at the Press Club, Shoebridge pushed back at repeated questions about his stance on military aid.

“Since 2022, the Australian Greens have had a fundamental position … and it is rock-solid support for the people of Ukraine. Rock-solid support for their struggle against an illegal invasion by Russia, rock-solid support for humanitarian and direct financial support to the people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine. We also support the ... firmest, clearest, most unambiguous sanctions against the state of Russia. Russia’s invasion is illegal, it’s immoral and it is wrong,” he said.

“And yes, we do, as a party of peace and non-violence, say that we’re against the international arms trade.”

Shoebridge argued the Greens’ position was in line with countries including Austria, Switzerland and South Korea.

But Shoebridge’s stance has been denounced by the Ukrainian Greens, who accused their Australian counterparts of adopting an absurd stance that benefited Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a statement issued from Kyiv, the Green Party of Ukraine expressed “deep disappointment” with Shoebridge’s comments on military aid, arguing that “refusing to provide defensive weapons to a country waging a just war of liberation is a dangerous illusion that plays into the hands of the aggressor, Vladimir Putin”.

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