Monday 19 October 2026 · Edition of the day

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The Skeptic's Daily

The day's biggest stories, taken apart. For each one: what is actually established, what is only asserted, the questions worth asking — and a plausibility score for the central claim, given everything currently known.

Stories
1
Average plausibility
85%
How to read the score
It rates how well the core claim is evidenced — not how important the story is, nor whether it is good or bad news.
01PoliticsAsia-Pacific

Steele-John denies misconduct claims as Australian Greens meet

Two outlets report the controversy, but the supplied accounts do not establish the allegations or resolve the circumstances of his leave.

Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has denied claims of misconduct towards women, the BBC reports. He says the timing reflects political manoeuvring within the party. The Guardian reports an emergency Greens meeting and leader David Shoebridge’s understanding that Steele-John agreed to take leave while allegations are investigated.

What holds up

  • ✓Both outlets report misconduct allegations involving Steele-John; neither supplied item establishes that misconduct occurred.
  • ✓The BBC records his denial, while the Guardian records Shoebridge’s account of leave arrangements.

What doesn't yet

  • ?Steele-John’s claim of political motivation is an interested party’s explanation, not an independently established finding.
  • ?The Guardian extract is truncated and refers to both party-room leave and leave from parliament, leaving the precise arrangement unclear.

Ask before you share

  • →What allegations are being investigated, and through what process?
  • →What leave was agreed, and do the senator and party leadership give matching accounts?

Sources & original reporting

  1. [1]BBC News · Published 19 Oct 2026 · bbc.co.uk
  2. [2]The Guardian · Published 19 Oct 2026 · theguardian.com