The new Greens leader says it is his understanding the West Australian senator ‘agreed’ to take leave from the party room

Greens leader David Shoebridge has said it was his understanding Jordon Steele-John agreed to take leave from parliament while misconduct allegations against him are investigated, and that it’s “appropriate” that he does so, despite the Western Australian senator saying overnight that he was not on leave and had never agreed to stay away from parliament.

Steele-John released a lengthy, explosive statement on Sunday night claiming Shoebridge pressured him to take leave after complaints about his conduct were made public last week, and accused an internal faction within the Greens of playing “nasty political games”. He has denied any allegations of misconduct.

Premier Ben Carroll says two-year limited cap will start on 1 January if re-elected, while Greens say there should be no fares

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Public transport fares in Victoria will be capped at $30 a week if the Labor government is re-elected next month – but commuters will need to dust off their Myki cards to benefit.

The premier, Ben Carroll, on Monday said the fare cap would begin on 1 January, the day after half-price fares end. The discounted fares were introduced after a period of free public transport in response to the fuel crisis sparked by the US-Iran war.