Woman Charged in Stalking Case Involving Greens Senator Jordon 2026

A 40-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated stalking and attempted extortion involving Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, according to Western Australian police. The charges add a new dimension to an already complex situation that has engulfed the Greens in recent weeks.

WA police said on Wednesday that detectives from the family violence investigation squad charged the Perth woman with one count of aggravated stalking with intent to intimidate and one count of demanding property by written threats, commonly known as extortion. Police will allege the woman is a former partner of Steele-John. She is due to appear in a Perth magistrates court on Thursday morning.

A spokesperson for Steele-John said: “The senator won’t be commenting on this investigation further at this time.” The charges come after Steele-John did not attend parliament last week following a letter from a group of Greens members to leader David Shoebridge urging an investigation into allegations that Steele-John had acted inappropriately towards women between 2017 and 2025.

What the Charges Mean

The charges against the woman are serious and carry potential penalties. Aggravated stalking with intent to intimidate is a criminal offence that involves a pattern of behavior intended to cause fear or harm. Demanding property by written threats—extortion—is also a serious charge. The fact that the alleged victim is a sitting senator adds a layer of public interest.

Police have not released further details about the allegations, and the woman has not yet entered a plea. The case will proceed through the courts, and it is important to remember that all charges are allegations until proven otherwise.

Political Fallout and Investigation

The charges are separate from the internal Greens investigation into Steele-John’s conduct. That investigation was triggered by a three-page letter from party members detailing allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women. Steele-John has denied all allegations in a 2,400-word statement.

The complaints are now subject to an independent investigation commissioned by the WA Greens and have been referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission. The timing of the charges—amid an ongoing internal probe—has intensified scrutiny on the party’s handling of the matter.

Greens leader David Shoebridge has faced questions about what he knew and when. As we reported in our coverage of the Greens leader denying knowledge of a secret dossier on Steele-John, the party has struggled to contain the fallout. The situation remains fluid, with new developments emerging regularly.

Key Takeaways

• A 40-year-old Perth woman has been charged with aggravated stalking and extortion involving Senator Jordon Steele-John.
• Police allege the woman is a former partner of Steele-John.
• The charges are separate from an internal Greens investigation into Steele-John’s conduct.
• Steele-John has denied all allegations made against him in a letter from party members.
• The woman is due to appear in court on Thursday.

Comparison of the Two Investigations

What to Watch Next

The court appearance on Thursday will be the first opportunity to learn more about the evidence against the woman. Meanwhile, the internal investigation continues, and the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission may also play a role. The Greens will be keen to show they are handling the matter appropriately, but the dual tracks of criminal and internal inquiries make that challenging.

Steele-John’s absence from parliament last week has fueled speculation about his future. As we noted in our report on Steele-John denying leave and accusing the Greens leader of a bad call, the senator has pushed back against the party’s handling of the situation. His position remains in limbo, as we discussed in our analysis of his uncertain standing.

The charges against the woman may complicate the public narrative, but they do not directly address the allegations in the internal investigation. It is possible that the criminal case will proceed in parallel with the internal probe, and the outcomes may influence each other. For now, the Greens are in turmoil, as we reported in our coverage of Shoebridge’s response to Steele-John’s explosive statement.

The party’s handling of the matter will be closely watched, especially given the upcoming election. How the Greens navigate this crisis could have implications beyond this incident. For a broader look at recent Australian news, see our roundup of unmarked graves and the supermarket nationalisation plan.