Even Malcolm Turnbull Reckons Alan Jones’ Comments About Jacinda Ardern Are Unacceptable
The ex-Prime Minister called Jones' comments "disgraceful."
Earlier this week, Alan Jones, a man with a reputation for making controverisal comments about female politicians, decided to offer his thoughts on New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Describing the well-liked Ardern as “gormless” and a “hypocrite”, the shock jock suggested that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison should “shove a sock” down her throat next time he ran into her.
Although Jones’ entire shtick revolves around making blunt comments about political figures that he dislikes, with this attack on Ardern, he appears to have gone too far even by the lights of his conservative base.
So tremendous has been the uproar over the soundbite, that a key advertiser on Jones’ show, ME Bank, has confirmed that they have pulled their ads on the station.
Hey Glen, since the events have unfolded we have removed our advertising and advised the station. Thanks for your concern, it absolutely does not align with our ME values on many levels. Thanks, Bec
— ME (@mebank) August 16, 2019
Now, even a former Prime Minister has condemned the comments. Malcolm Turnbull, who has clashed with the shock jock on a number of prior occasions, has criticized Jones and his attitude.
“His pattern of using abusive and violent language against women, particularly women politicians, is disgraceful,” said Turnbull, as The Sydney Morning Herald have reported. “He is an appalling misogynist in the way he talks about women – this is the man who said that Julia Gillard should be put in a chaff bag and dropped off the Heads, then he goes on to urge Morrison to shove a sock down Jacinda Ardern’s throat.”
For her part, Ardern is barely giving the attack air — she has told reporters that she doesn’t want to give the comments “the light of day.”
Jones, meanwhile, has apologised to Ardern — sort of. “I would never wish her any harm and I would always wish her the best,” he said. “My comments, nonetheless, were careless and they should have been, I think, more clearly thought and to that extent, I have erred and made a mistake.”
“To that extent.” Hmm.