Alan Jones Arrest: Complete coverage
Alan Jones faces the threat of spending his twilight years in jail
The once-untouchable king of radio Alan Jones faces the threat of spending his twilight years in jail after being charged with a near two-decade reign of predatory indecent attacks during which he allegedly abused eight men, including a prominent Olympian and a 17-year-old, report The Australian’s Stephen Rice, Liam Mendes and Ellie Dudley.
Silent and seemingly on the verge of tears, a frail Jones, 83, shuffled from the Day Street police station in Sydney’s CBD on Monday, aided by a walking stick, after being charged with 24 counts of historical sexual and assault offences, including alleged sexual attacks against several men who were in his employ.
His lawyer, Chris Murphy, said Jones “denies any misconduct” and would “assert his innocence” in court, while police said they believed more people might now come forward with allegations against Jones.
Meet Alan Jones’ lawyers, Bryan Wrench and Chris Murphy
When detectives arrived at Alan Jones’s harbourside apartment to arrest him over allegations of indecent assault, a familiar face was running just a few beats behind them: criminal solicitor Bryan Wrench, reports The Australian’s Ellie Dudley.
Known widely as the defence lawyer to the stars, Wrench has acted for everyone from NRL superstar Sam Burgess to former Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll to TV actor John Jarratt.
Now Wrench has collected Jones as his latest client after NSW police charged the former radio shock jock with 24 offences spanning two decades.
The Sydney lawyer arrived at Jones’s Circular Quay apartment in Sydney about 9am on Monday, shortly after police executed a search warrant of the property following an investigation into allegations the 83-year-old had preyed on eight alleged victims, including a 17-year-old boy.
A graduate of selective school Sydney Boys High, Wrench was offered work experience with criminal lawyer Chris Murphy while he was still in school, and worked there while studying at Macquarie University.
Murphy was also present with Jones on Monday, threatening to have a television journalist charged for apparently “striking” him.
“I told you before, if you strike me again I’ll have you charged, get back,” he said.
Alan Jones looks to his ‘pick and stick’ club as he faces the fight of his life
As Alan Jones begins the toughest fight of his life he’ll be looking to see who among the celebrated members of his “pick and stick” club remain loyal as he faces charges of indecent assault and inappropriate touching, reports The Australian’s Stephen Rice.
For years, the legendary broadcaster has counted on the likes of billionaire James Packer, television host Karl Stefanovic, celebrity accountant Anthony Bell and a raft of other movers-and-shakers to stand by him when controversy hits.
On Monday night, Sky News commentator Peta Credlin, a long-time Jones supporter, was one of the few to offer a public comment.
Criticising the police for clearly tipping off the media about Jones’ arrest, Credlin said: “I wish my friend well for what will be a difficult few months ahead.”
However, it seems possible that Jones’ support crew may have inadvertently contributed to his current predicament, with claims that one of his accusers, identified by the pseudonym “Bradley Webster”, only filed a police report after becoming incensed after being publicly slammed for making allegations under the cloak of anonymity.
Charged Alan Jones awaits day in court after historical sex abuse allegations
The arrest of radio royalty Alan Jones on Monday morning prefaces a trial set to garner major public attention, and which the former shock jock has pledged to fight, reports The Australian’s James Dowling.
The former 2GB host’s Circular Quay home in Sydney was subject to a search warrant early on Monday, before Jones was led into a waiting police car just after 11am, arriving 10 minutes later at Day Street Police Station in the CBD.
By 3pm he had been charged with 24 alleged offences and granted conditional bail. He will front the Downing Centre Local Court on December 18.
Strike Force Bonnefin, the investigating unit established by the state’s child abuse squad, had signposted it was investigating incidents from 2001 to 2019, during Jones’s career at 2GB.
Jones’s case will progress to the District Court or Supreme Court for a trial or sentencing, depending on how he pleads.
Eight alleged victims have spoken out against Jones, with police saying they would be called to testify should Jones plead not guilty.
I asked Alan Jones about his sexuality and alleged abuse of power. This was his response
A quarter of a century ago I wrote a story for Good Weekend magazine with the headline: “Who’s afraid of Alan Jones?” writes David Leser for Nine Publishing.
The answer was almost everyone.
Of the nearly 100 people I interviewed, only a handful were prepared to be quoted by name. The rest were too scared of retribution.
“He could destroy my company,” one chief executive told me. “If I want to be employed again in Sydney,” said another, “I have to be really careful.”
“You could end up losing your job or being sued. He has a ridiculous amount of power,” said a third. And this from a fourth: “You can’t take him on because you’ll only cop another bucket [on radio] the next morning.”
Leser included part of his transcript:
Leser: Ever since the London toilet incident you’ve been dogged … with all sorts of scuttlebutt about your sexuality. Can I just ask you to put on the record now …”
Jones: “You’re going to ask me a nuclear warship question.”
Me: “I’m going to ask you are you gay or not?”
Jones: “I’ve never confirmed or denied anything … And I don’t believe people should be asked to in relation to their private lives.”
Alan Jones was the king of morning radio. His arrest played out live on air
At 7.45 every morning before his retirement, Alan Jones graced the airwaves on his top-rating breakfast show. On Monday morning, his former employer 2GB covered his arrest live on air, reports Nine Publishing’s Jessica McSweeney.
Jones, 83, was arrested in his luxury Circular Quay flat after a lengthy investigation by the State Crime Command’s child abuse squad into allegations he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men.
At 8.07am, during the middle of Jones’ old radio slot, Ben Fordham was joined by senior Nine crime reporter Simon Bouda to discuss the arrest with listeners of 2GB.
Herald chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont was also interviewed on air to explain the indecent assault allegations against Jones. Jones hosted the breakfast slot from 2002 to 2020.
“This is a story that’s obviously close to home for us here at 2GB because as I said at the time when these allegations were first printed in The Sydney Morning Herald, they involve people who used to work at this radio station. One of them being Alan Jones, another one being one of the alleged victims,” Fordham said.
Teena McQueen defends Alan Jones in encrypted WhatsApp group rant
As political figures ducked for cover rather than comment publicly about Alan Jones’ arrest and subsequent charges, an encrypted social media chatroom called Restoring Your Liberal Party was running hot, reports Nine Publishing’s Tony Wright.
The former vice president of the federal Liberal Party, Teena McQueen, was vociferous in Jones’ defence.
“It’s absolute bullshit,” she wrote on WhatsApp in response to a message from fellow group member George Szabo, a Sydney lawyer and active Liberal member, who had simply reported “Alan Jones arrested. About to be charged.”
McQueen – whom this masthead attempted to contact for comment – was last reported partying at the weekend at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where she and her current employer, Gina Rinehart, had celebrated the host’s US presidential election win.
Both Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Treasurer Jim Chalmers declined to comment on the Jones charges – which include 24 offences over allegations he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men – on the grounds it would be inappropriate given the matter was subject to legal proceedings.
Two former prime ministers who were long considered close to Jones, John Howard and Tony Abbott, did not respond to calls.
2GB radio host Ray Hadley speaks of ‘soured’ relationship with former colleague Alan Jones
Legendary 2GB host Ray Hadley has spoken about his “soured” relationship with former colleague Alan Jones after he was arrested on Monday morning, reports News Corp’s Aymon Bertah.
Speaking to his audience on The Ray Hadley Morning Show, Hadley said his relationship with Jones “soured five years ago”, however, he admitted he was unable to say “why”.
Hadley said he became aware of claims against Jones in 2019.
He asked listeners to understand the “need for me to be circumspect” and his need to “report on matters factually” as the matter is likely to be imminently before the courts.
“Editorial comment … has to be guided by legalities,” Hadley said. “I hope you all understand that.”
He called out “narks who are contacting me” claiming he was leaving 2GB because of the allegations against Jones.
News Brands
King tried to stop Prince Harry suing Murdoch publisher, court hears
King Charles tried to prevent his son Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, from suing the publisher of The Sun newspaper, the High Court has heard, reports The London Telegraph.
Prince Harry is to argue at trial in January that his father “acted to discourage and stymie him” from pursuing legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN), Justice Timothy Fancourt revealed, quoting from a document filed by Harry’s legal team.
His case against the publisher concerns accusations of “blagging” – obtaining confidential details about him by deception – and other unlawful invasions of privacy.
On Friday, the judge granted Harry access to a cache of Buckingham Palace emails sent between two of the most senior members of the royal household and specific senior executives at NGN.
The NGN employees included Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News UK, her predecessor, Mike Darcey, and Robert Thomson, chief executive of News Corp.
Harry previously alleged that Buckingham Palace had a “secret agreement” with Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper group.
Meanwhile, it emerged that Harry one of only two remaining claimants still pursuing legal action against NGN after 39 others settled their cases.
The trial is expected to last between six and eight weeks, with a further hearing due to be held in December.
MSNBC’s Morning Joe stars reveal a Mar-a-Lago reunion with Donald Trump
The married MSNBC hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough drove half an hour from their Florida home on Friday to meet with an old friend turned frenemy turned enemy: President-elect Donald J. Trump, reports The New York Times.
Their relationship has been complicated. Trump was once a regular guest on their breakfast talk show, Morning Joe, and the couple rang in 2017 at a New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Then things deteriorated. Trump called Scarborough a “psycho” and Brzezinski “crazy,” claiming that he had once seen her “bleeding badly from a face-lift.” Morning Joe became a redoubt of the anti-Trump resistance. This year, the couple repeatedly warned that a second Trump presidency would threaten democracy’s future.
Even for talk show hosts, it turns out, elections have consequences.
“For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, ‘Why wouldn’t we?’” Brzezinski told viewers on Monday, disclosing the meeting for the first time. “Joe and I realised it’s time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump but also talking with him.”
“What we did agree on,” Brzezinski added, “was to restart communications.” She compared the summit to the diplomatic work of her father, Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was President Jimmy Carter’s national security adviser.
Radio
Radio broadcaster Jackie O reveals depths of her addiction on Mental As Anyone podcast
Jackie O Henderson says she is lucky to be alive after abusing her body for so many years, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
The top Aussie media personality sought treatment at the world famous Betty Ford clinic in the United States for addiction to alcohol and prescription medication.
At her lowest point, Henderson consumed 24 codeine tablets daily, up to 14 Stilnox sleeping pills, and alcohol.
“When you look at the actual medication I was taking, I don’t know how I survived that,” Henderson said in the latest episode of the Mental As Anyone podcast.
ABC Mornings host David Bevan to announce retirement from media
Veteran ABC Adelaide radio host David Bevan will announce his retirement from media in the coming weeks, according to well-placed sources within the industry, reports News Corp’s George Yankovich.
The Advertiser reports that the Adelaide Mornings presenter, who has hosted various breakfast radio programs since 2001, has been consulting colleagues about stepping down from the airwaves.
Best known for his 15-year on-air partnership with Matthew Abraham on 891AM, Bevan was also the network’s state political reporter for South Australia and previously covered the court beat for The Advertiser.
One industry insider said the announcement was coming by the end of the month, while another reported that Bevan floated the possibility of a 2025 send-off.
Television
“The ABC is not a charity set up”: Louise Yates tells Mercado that Bellbird discrimination nearly cost her a career
The first actor on Australian television with a disability remembers persevering when faced with ignorance and a lack of access in the 1970s, reports TV Tonight.
Veteran performer Louise Yates (nee Philip) yesterday recounted how she was nearly written out of Bellbird following a devastating car-crash in 1972 which left her paraplegic.
Interviewed by TV historian Andrew Mercado at Driving Change, a Bondi-based summit on disability employment in the screen sector, Yates recalled how she was recuperating in hospital when reading a TV Week article in which then-producer James Davern suggested she could consider a career in radio.
“I was pretty flawed. I think the kicker was when he finished that statement with ‘The ABC is not a charity set up.’ And I thought, ‘Oh my god.’ I mean, one of the startling things for me was the fact that even though I had changed physically -mentally, I hadn’t at all,” said Yates.
Aussie actor Josh Heuston stars in prequel series to blockbuster Dune films
The Dune film franchise may star Hollywood heavyweights Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. But the prequel TV spin-off, Dune: Prophecy, is giving the original a run for its money with Aussie actor Josh Heuston emerging as the breakout star, reports news.com.au’s Christine Estera.
But before you call him an up-and-coming actor, Heuston has already made a splash in the industry with roles in Thor: Love and Thunder, Bali 2002 and, currently, Heartbreak High. And it is this drive and determination that saw him awarded GQ’s Breakthrough Actor of the Year in 2022.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time and putting one step, one foot in front of the other,” the 27-year-old tells news.com.au while promoting the series, which is now streaming on Binge.
Publishing
Victorian foodies celebrate: How the hats landed in The Age Good Food Guide 2025
Stakes were high at The Age Good Food Guide 2025 Awards on Monday night as some trailblazing restaurants were celebrated while others – including some of the city’s enduring favourites – took a tumble, losing their coveted chef hats, reports Nine Publishing’s Tomas Telegramma.
After going in the Guide unscored last year, amid a $3 million refurb, the sky-high Vue de Monde has rejoined the three-hat hall of fame, reclaiming its place on Melbourne’s dining leaderboard with food as good as ever, but an experience a little less buttoned-up.
“Vue de Monde is absolutely back with a bang,” says Guide editor Ellen Fraser. “This is high-calibre fine dining unlike anything else in the world – and it is astonishingly delicious. The floor team strikes that magic balance of fine-tuned and laid-back. And the refreshed room is even more worthy of the incredible outlook.”
The arc was similar for Torquay’s Samesyn, re-emerging from an overhaul with a thrilling zero-waste philosophy (and no bin!) that elevated it from one hat to two.
[Read more]
See also: The Age Good Food Guide Awards 2025: The full list of hats