The final squawk? At last, it appears that Alan Jones has nowhere to go.
Thus, the “Parrot,” as H. G. Nelson dubbed him, has lost his position since Sky News declined to extend his contract.
Alan Jones became as one of the most influential, polarizing, and socially damaging voices in Australian media history over the course of 36 years.
He became a phenomenon in terms of ratings at the same period. He won his 226th ratings in the Sydney breakfast slot in April 2020—a feat that has never been surpassed and most likely never will be.
It was an achievement based on three pillars. He spoke clearly in the passionate language of conservative indignation that his audience felt but was unable to express. He convinced them that he was their champion in the halls of power, and he had an uncanny sense of the subjects that would enrage them.
In 1985, he started his career in broadcasting when he became the morning host of Sydney’s Radio 2UE. In 1988, he began working the breakfast shift and quickly rose to the top.
He transferred from 2UE to 2GB in 2001, bringing with him a substantial portion of his listeners and elevating the station to the top of the Sydney breakfast market—a ranking it has since reclaimed after momentarily declining following Jones’ departure in May 2020. He was untouchable in politics for a very long time.
He became embroiled in the cash-for-comment controversy in 1999. Julian Burnside, QC, the assisting counsel, rejected his evidence at the Australian Broadcasting Authority’s subsequent inquiry on the grounds that it was not credible.
