NSW: Alan Jones accused of villifying Aborigines

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2000
NSW: Alan Jones accused of villifying Aborigines

By Gavin Lower

SYDNEY, April 3 AAP - Broadcaster Alan Jones was today accused of vilifying Aboriginal
people when he told radio listeners that landlords should be able to refuse accommodation
to people "looking like a skunk and smelling like a skunk".

The Western Aboriginal Legal Service (WALS) wants Mr Jones to apologise for what he
said on November 28, 1995, and for radio station 2UE to implement anti-racial vilification
policies.

The legal service has taken action against Mr Jones and 2UE in the New South Wales
Administrative Decisions Tribunal on behalf of Aboriginal people under the Anti-Discrimination
Act.

Mr Jones was commenting about an Aboriginal woman who was awarded $6,000 for being
discriminated against when a Dubbo real estate agent, in western NSW, told her there were
no flats for her to rent despite being told on the phone earlier there were four properties
available.

A white friend of the woman then went into the real estate office, asked for accommodation
and was told there were flats available.

Mr Jones told his audience he thought the woman receiving compensation for discrimination
was "a joke".

"... I don't care what colour he is, looking like a skunk and smelling like a skunk
with a sardine can on one foot and a sandshoe on the other and a half drunk bottle of
beer under the arm and he wanted to rent the final property available and it was mine
I would expect the agency to say no...," he said.

Several callers rang to speak to Mr Jones on air and told him about Aboriginal tenants
who "ripped the wiring out of the ceiling" and Indians who "had been cooking in every
room".

All the callers agreed the real estate agent should not have had to pay compensation
and should be able to discriminate about who could live in their properties.

"I couldn't care whether they are black or brindle or blue or whatever they are, I
am talking about the owner who has invested hard-earned money making sure that the value
of that real estate is being maintained and that damage to personal property is minimised,"

Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones' barrister, Robert Campbell, denied the broadcast vilified anyone and that
the discrimination case had been a "hook" for a debate about landlords.

"It was of legitimate public importance," Mr Campbell said.

Station program director Michael Hibbard told the tribunal Mr Jones was a supporter
of Aboriginal people, especially athletes.

He said 2UE had implemented guidelines on the portrayal of indigenous Australians and
that seminars were held with presenters and producers about the issue.

However, under cross-examination by barrister Diana Black, for (WALS), Mr Hibbard said
he was unaware of any seminars about racial vilification.

He also said there were no records of a complaint made to the station about the broadcast.

The hearing is continuing.

AAP gl/sb/ah

KEYWORD: JONES

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