Shoebridge insists Steele-John should take leave as Greens 'binfire' deepens

Greens leader David Shoebridge has stated it is his understanding that Senator Jordon Steele-John agreed to take leave from parliament while misconduct allegations against him are investigated. According to The Guardian Australia, Shoebridge believes such a move is appropriate, though Steele-John released a statement on Sunday night denying he is on leave or had ever agreed to stay away.

Steele-John has denied any allegations of misconduct. The Guardian Australia reports that Steele-John claimed Shoebridge pressured him to take leave after complaints regarding his conduct were made public, and he accused an internal faction within the Greens of playing "nasty political games." ABC News AU further notes that Steele-John denied he had offered or agreed to step back during the investigation.

Separately, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald report that the Greens’ Ukrainian sister party has accused Shoebridge of adopting an absurd stance on military aid that benefits Vladimir Putin.

Brief written by urgent.news from ABC News AU, The Guardian Australia, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.