The alleged secret dossier is a reported 47-page internal document, first drafted in 2016, said to contain misconduct allegations against Western Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele-John and guidance on managing communications and media coverage of those allegations.

Reporting and responses

The existence of the document was reported by the Nine newspapers, which described it as a “secret dossier” drafted in 2016 and containing allegations against Steele-John and how to suppress media coverage of them. Guardian Australia has not independently confirmed the document’s contents.

Federal Greens leader David Shoebridge denied knowledge of the document, stating it was not “made by, used by, or seen by” the leader’s office. The WA Greens confirmed the existence of the document, saying it was created in response to allegations first made against the senator in 2016, which the party stated were not substantiated and which the named persons never lodged as a formal complaint. The WA Greens said the document “outlines the management of communications about this matter”.

Related developments

Steele-John took leave from the party room after historical complaints about inappropriate comments made to women, allegedly ranging between 2017 and 2025, were publicly aired. He rejected the claims. Shoebridge referred the complaints to the independent parliamentary standards commission (IPSC) after the parliamentary workplace support service (PWSS) said it was unable to deal with the matter. The WA Greens said they would seek legal advice on how best to establish an independent inquiry.