The long and controversial story of Alan Jones is about to enter a defining year

2 hours ago 2

In the long and turbulent story of broadcaster Alan Jones, 2026 looms as his defining year.

The former broadcaster wielded huge influence over Australia, and our city, for decades. As subscribers will no doubt recall, Jones’ protected species status came crashing down in December 2023 when the Herald revealed allegations that Jones used his position of power to prey on a number of young men, indecently assaulting them, groping or inappropriately touching them without their consent.

That investigation by the Herald’s chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont sparked the secret creation of Strike Force Bonnefin, run by the State Crime Command’s child abuse and sex crimes squad, which spent the next year examining the former 2GB broadcaster. He was charged in November last year with 24 offences against eight alleged victims spanning two decades.

Alan Jones leaves Day Street Police Station after he was charged by police and granted bail.

The case has been rolling along ever since. But there were some significant developments when the case was mentioned before the John Maddison Tower Local Court this week.

We found out Jones’ trial will now be conducted before a magistrate alone in the Local Court, rather than before a jury in the District Court. I have no idea whether this is a good or bad thing for Jones, or the prosecution, but it’s worth noting that Jones last year said he looked forward to the case being heard by a jury.

We also heard that the number of alleged victims in the case has dropped from 11 to nine. Jones now faces a total of 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching.

The Herald’s Clare Sibthorpe, who is doing a terrific job covering courts for us this year, used this week’s court mention to gain access to documents that shed fresh light on the alleged offences, including the locations where police claim they occurred. I should note that some of what follows is graphic in nature.

These documents allege that one complainant was assaulted five times at Jones’ Fitzroy Falls residence by being kissed on the lips, having his robe undone and his underpants removed, Jones rubbing his penis against his own and touching and squeezing the complainant’s penis while masturbating. That same man was allegedly assaulted while driving Jones to the Fitzroy Falls home and twice in Jones’ Sydney home.

Jones allegedly assaulted a man three times at a Kiama restaurant. That same year, Jones allegedly assaulted another man twice while being driven home from work, kissed him in the lift of his Sydney home three times and twice in the lift of his workplace, and touched his penis on the outside of his clothing at Gunners Barracks restaurant in Mosman.

Jones allegedly assaulted another complainant at a Sydney function, touching and squeezing their bottom outside their clothing.

He is also accused of rubbing another man’s leg “up towards his crotch” during a performance at Sydney Opera House.

Jones denies the allegations and is entitled to his day in court. But this extraordinary story is another reminder of the critical role of investigative journalism, which the Herald can only practise thanks to the ongoing support of subscribers such as yourself.

Before I go, I wanted to switch to a much lighter topic and offer a brief word about an exciting upcoming project by our travel team.

Awards are nothing new in the travel space. But what’s different about this year’s Traveller’s Awards is that they’re extremely personal selections from our expert writers – people who travel a lot, and know a good thing when they see it. We asked them to nominate a favourite place or experience from their past year of global travel, and then a senior panel of editors chose 10 winners in each of 12 categories.

The choices are not necessarily the latest opening or newest launch, but they do come highly recommended by a knowledgeable team. Categories range from Style & Design, Wellness and Innovation to Adventure, Bang for Buck and Hall of Fame. The domestic and international choices include a once-in-a-lifetime Indigenous-guided tour of the Kimberley in Western Australia, an affordable luxury hotel group in Vietnam and a sustainable cruise through Norway’s spectacular landscapes.

Hope you enjoy a bit of escapism via this year’s awards.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.