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Alan Jones forced to apologise for latest Julia Gillard tirade Alan Jones forced to apologise for latest Julia Gillard tirade
(about 3 hours later)
Public anger is growing in Australia over comments by the country's best-known radio talkshow host that Julia Gillard's father, who died last month, had died "of shame". Public anger has triggered an advertising backlash in Australia over comments by the country's best-known radio talkshow host that Julia Gillard's father, who died last month, had died "of shame".
Alan Jones, who has a history of criticising the prime minister, told a Sydney University Young Liberals dinner last week that "every person in the caucus of the Labor party knows that Julia Gillard is a liar … The old man recently died a few weeks ago of shame. To think that he had a daughter who told lies every time she stood for [sic] parliament." Alan Jones, who has a history of criticising the prime minister, told a Sydney University Young Liberals dinner last week that "every person in the caucus of the Labor party knows that Julia Gillard is a liar … The old man recently died a few weeks ago of shame. To think that he had a daughter who told lies every time she stood for [sic] parliament."
Jones's tirade against Gillard also accused the conservative opposition party of being soft on the prime minister because she was a woman. "They've been brainwashed by the media to 'Oh … back off, she's a woman, go easy'." In his tirade, Jones also accused the conservative opposition party of being soft on the prime minister because she was a woman. "They've been brainwashed by the media to 'Oh … back off, she's a woman, go easy.'"
His comments follow other recent on-air criticism of Gillard in which Jones accused her and other women in powerful positions of "destroying the joint". This provoked a social media campaign calling on sponsors of his high-rating radio programme to pull out.His comments follow other recent on-air criticism of Gillard in which Jones accused her and other women in powerful positions of "destroying the joint". This provoked a social media campaign calling on sponsors of his high-rating radio programme to pull out.
During his speech at Sydney University, Jones also said Gillard's recent improvement in opinion polls had been sparked by her tears. "Of course she's ahead in preferred prime minister [polls]," he said. "She cries because her father died, she's on the news every day." And a number of companies confirmed they were backing away from the presenter. Mercedes-Benz said it was withdrawing all Jones-related advertising and marketing. An investment management company, Challenger, and a furniture manufacturer confirmed they had pulled advertising from the programme on Sydney radio station 2GB. Freedom Furniture tweeted: "You spoke, we listened. We do not support the comments made by Alan Jones. We have pulled our advertising off air."
During his speech at Sydney University, Jones also said Gillard's recent improvement in opinion polls were the result of her tears. "Of course she's ahead in preferred prime minister [polls]," he said. "She cries because her father died, she's on the news every day."
Two weeks ago in parliament, Gillard choked back tears as she paid tribute to her 83-year-old father, who had brought the family to Australia from Wales when she was a child. She said her father had "felt more deeply than me … some of the personal attacks we face in the business of politics, but I was able to reassure him that he had raised a daughter with sufficient strength not to let that get her down".Two weeks ago in parliament, Gillard choked back tears as she paid tribute to her 83-year-old father, who had brought the family to Australia from Wales when she was a child. She said her father had "felt more deeply than me … some of the personal attacks we face in the business of politics, but I was able to reassure him that he had raised a daughter with sufficient strength not to let that get her down".
Jones's comments have been widely condemned. The attorney general, Nicola Roxon, said he had gone too far. "Of course [his employment] should be considered. It's not the first time Mr Jones has made inappropriate comments."Jones's comments have been widely condemned. The attorney general, Nicola Roxon, said he had gone too far. "Of course [his employment] should be considered. It's not the first time Mr Jones has made inappropriate comments."
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd, whom Gillard succeeded two years ago, described Jones's comments as " the lowest of the low". The former prime minister Kevin Rudd, whom Gillard succeeded two years ago, described Jones's comments as "the lowest of the low".
Jones publicly apologised on Sunday and tried, unsuccessfully, to speak to the prime minister. "This was a throwaway thing at a private function, which I thought was a private function," he told a press conference. "The comments were, in the light of everything, unacceptable. They merit an apology by me."Jones publicly apologised on Sunday and tried, unsuccessfully, to speak to the prime minister. "This was a throwaway thing at a private function, which I thought was a private function," he told a press conference. "The comments were, in the light of everything, unacceptable. They merit an apology by me."
As well as making a speech at the Young Liberals dinner, Jones autographed a jacket made of "chaff bag" material, which was auctioned. It was a reference to repeated calls on his radio programme that Gillard be put into a sack and dumped at sea.As well as making a speech at the Young Liberals dinner, Jones autographed a jacket made of "chaff bag" material, which was auctioned. It was a reference to repeated calls on his radio programme that Gillard be put into a sack and dumped at sea.
More than 27,000 people have signed an online petition calling for sponsors of Jones's radio programme to withdraw their support. Some, including an investment management firm and a furniture retailer, have already done so. More than 27,000 people have signed an online petition calling for sponsors of Jones's radio programme to withdraw their support.