ACT Greens MLA Johnathan Davis resigns following teen sex allegations

A former ACT Greens MLA has resigned with an internal party review revealing allegations of an intimate relationship with a 17-year-old boy which included “flirtatious and sexual texts”.

An internal review has revealed the ACT Greens knew about teen sex allegations involving one of their former embattled MLAs a week before it was referred to police.

Former Member for Brindabella Johnathan Davis has resigned from the Legislative Assembly and the ACT Greens after misconduct allegations emerged in the media on Friday.

An internal review completed by Mr Davis’ party released on Monday states they received allegations the 31-year-old was “engaging in inappropriate behaviour with younger people” and it was possible some of those people “might be between 15 and 17”.

These allegations have not been substantiated. No charges have been laid.

An ACT Policing spokesman said they had received a referral in relation to this matter.

“Investigations into this matter are ongoing, and it would be inappropriate to comment further,” the spokesman said.

Greens MLA for Brindabella Johnathan Davis. Picture: ACT Greens

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee queried why it took a media inquiry on Thursday for the ACT Greens to act on the allegations and if its leader Shane Rattenbury received previous allegations relating to Mr Davis.

In an internal review to ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury dated November 10 (Friday), it was revealed Member for Murrumbidgee Emma Davidson texted a senior Greens staff member on October 29 about a “serious issue” she had to raise.

The next day Ms Davidson and two other staff members advised this senior staffer there were rumours circulating alleging Mr Davis “inappropriate behaviour” with “younger people”.

“At this point, those rumours could not be substantiated and there were no individuals coming forward with any specific information,” the review states.

The review states party members considered Mr Davis was “an out, proud and sex-positive gay man” and how they needed to ensure they had facts about the case.

Mr Davis was told about the allegations on November 6 after being interstate and how they needed to be discussed with the party leader Mr Rattenbury. This took place the following day.

Greens MLA Johnathan Davis discussing the ACT's drug decriminalisation bill. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The staff member spoke to an 18-year-old man at the Australian National University on November 7, who was under 18 when he met Mr Davis, who disclosed how the former Greens MLA was well known across the ACT LGBTQI+ community and alleged was “known to have a preference for younger people”.

The man alleged Mr Davis set his age filters to 18-19 on the gay dating app Grindr, “with the aim of meeting and having sexual exchanges with men of that age”.

He stressed he was not a victim and all activity between him and Mr Davis was consensual however said the former Greens MLA was aware he was under 18.

Greens MLA Johnathan Davis in 2022.

“He said that they had both exchanged flirtatious and sexual texts and met up for sex on several occasions,” the review states.

The review author however found the messages could be considered explicit but were consensual and made in the “context of an ongoing relationship”.

The staff member then referred the matter to police on November 10 as they were “unclear” whether illegal conduct occurred due to the alleged exchange of “possible intimate images” involving a person under the age of 18.

“I was concerned enough by the content of the material and also felt that our organisation was not equipped to appropriately investigate the allegations being made, that I felt it necessary to report the matter to police,” the review stated.

Lawyer Andrew Herring who is acting for Mr Davis said the 31-year-old had no comment to make in relation to the recent allegations.

“He understands from recent media articles that they may be the subject of review by police, the ACT Integrity Commission and by the Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly,” Mr Herring said.

“In those circumstances it is inappropriate for Mr Davis, or others, to comment upon the allegations.”

Mr Davis was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2020, having been born and raised in Canberra.

He acted as the Greens’ spokesman for health, drug harm reduction, LGBTQI+, tourism and events and education.