Former broadcasting heavyweight Alan Jones has been charged over allegations of indecent assault and sexual touching offences.
The shock jock, 83, is accused of 24 offences against eight victims, with the youngest aged 17 at the time the alleged crime took place.
NSW Police announced they had charged Jones, 83, on Monday following an investigation into claims spanning two decades.
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“In March 2024, State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin to investigate a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019,” police said in a statement.
“Following extensive inquiries, about 7.45am (Monday), strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in Circular Quay where they arrested an 83-year-old man.”
Child abuse squad detectives charged the once powerful media figure with 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender, nine counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touch another person without consent and two counts of common assault.
He was granted conditional bail and will appear before Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Wednesday.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald commended investigators for their “tenacity and their hard work” and the alleged victims for their “bravery”.
“Historical matters such as this are incredibly hard to investigate and bring before the courts and I again congratulate them on their ongoing investigation that will continue on,” he said.
“I wish to commend the victims and their bravery in coming forward. They fully are aware, as are the investigators, that the hard work is just beginning.
“They have given their statements fully aware that they will go before the courts.”
‘Long, thorough, protracted investigation’
Jones was arrested on Monday after police executed a search warrant at a unit in Circular Quay about 7.45am.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said authorities anticipate that other alleged victims could come forward.
“This is a result of a very long, thorough, protracted investigation … I did visit the strike force some weeks and months ago to look at the work that they have been doing, it is very complex and protracted,” she said.
“There’s no such thing as a matter that’s too old to be investigated … what I’d say to victims is that there is no better time to come forward than now and you will be listened to and we will take your matter seriously.”
Jones forged a career as a controversial and influential broadcast figure after starting as a morning news presenter for 2UE in 1985.
He became feared interviewer capable of grilling leaders while dominating the airwaves with his outspoken, conservative views.
He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut.
His many controversies included suggesting former prime minister Julia Gillard’s father “died of shame”.
Jones most recently broadcast via digital platform ADH TV but he has not been on-air since November 2023, shortly before previous indecent assault allegations were published.
He coached the Australian national men’s rugby team between 1984 and 1988, with his tenure including a number of historic achievements for the side.
They included leading the Wallabies to a grand slam of wins on their British Isles tour in 1984 and coaching the side to Australia’s first Bledisloe Cup win in New Zealand in 39 years in 1986.
– With AAP