Second person approaches ACT Greens about ex-MLA Johnathan Davis

The ACT Greens has confirmed another person has come forward to their party regarding former MLA Johnathan Davis after he resigned amid allegations stemming from an alleged intimate relationship with a 17-year-old.

Another person has come forward about a former Greens MLA facing allegations following an intimate relationship with a 17-year-old.

ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury confirmed on Wednesday another person reached out to their party to share information with them about former Member for Brindabella Johnathan Davis.

Mr Davis resigned from the Legislative Assembly and the ACT Greens after allegations emerged in the media on November 10.

An internal review completed by Mr Davis’ party released on Monday stated they received allegations the 31-year-old was “engaging in inappropriate behaviour with younger people” .

The age of consent in the ACT is 16.

These allegations have not been substantiated. No charges have been laid, with ACT Policing confirming they received a referral in relation to the matter.

Former Greens MLA Johnathan Davis (left) and ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury (right). Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai/Martin Ollman

Mr Rattenbury said the party did not know the nature of that information this second person has, however were examining the “best way” to have them provide information and may bring in an intermediary service to consider that. Any information not yet provided by this person has also not been substantiated.

In an internal review to Mr Rattenbury dated November 10 (Friday), it was revealed there were rumours circulating alleging Mr Davis “inappropriate behaviour” with “younger people”.

Former Greens MLA for Brindabella Johnathan Davis. Picture: ACT Greens

An 18-year-old man disclosed to an ACT Greens senior staffer on November 7 the former Greens MLA was well known across the ACT LGBTQI+ community.

He alleged Mr Davis knew he was 17 when they were together, which is above the age of consent in the ACT.

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

The staff member 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. There are no other allegations of wrongdoing made.

Mr Rattenbury said the party had “uncertainty” about the specific issues around intimate images and the exchange of those which is why they went to police.

The ACT Greens Attorney-General said there were now discussions about an independent inquiry into how the allegations were handled but felt they acted to the “best of their ability”.

Mr Rattenbury candidly said he considered Mr Davis’ conduct wasn’t the “standard of behaviour” expected from an elected representative to their party.

“I accepted his resignation because he didn’t feel he had a future in politics and I think he was right about that,” Mr Rattenbury said.

Mr Davis’ lawyer Andrew Herring was previously approached by this publication about the allegations and said it was inappropriate for the 31-year-old, or others, to comment.

The former member for Brindabella was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2020 and acted as the Greens’ spokesman for health, drug harm reduction, LGBTQI+, tourism and events and education.

His lawyer has been contacted for comment