Controversial broadcaster Alan Jones has been ordered to apologise for comments he made in 2005 describing Lebanese Muslims as “vermin” and “mongrels”.
The Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT) ordered Jones to apologise on his 2GB radio show between 8am and 8.30am any day next week over the comments he made on-air in April 2005.
It comes two months after Jones lost a lengthy legal bid to overturn the 2009 decision, which found he “incited hatred, serious contempt and severe ridicule of Lebanese Muslims”.
The case was taken against him by Sydney-based Lebanese-born Muslim leader, Keysar Trad. The complaint related to comments he made on April 28 about a Nine Network current affairs story reportedly showing young men of Lebanese origin taunting police.
“If ever there was a clear example that Lebanese males in their vast numbers not only hate our country and our heritage, this was it,” Jones said. Referring to the men as “vermin” and “mongrels”, he added: “They simply rape, pillage and plunder a nation that’s taken them in.”
In the original 2009 decision, the tribunal awarded $10,000 in damages to Mr Trad, ordered the presenter make a public apology within eight weeks, and directed Harbour Radio to conduct a “critical review of its policies and practices on racial vilification” and staff training in such matters.
In its latest decision handed down on Wednesday, the tribunal rejected a submission that an apology made by Jones on December 6 was “an adequate acknowledgment of wrongdoing”.
Instead it ordered him to read out the following apology any day next week from December 17:
“On 28 April 2005 on my breakfast program on Radio 2GB, I broadcast comments about Lebanese males including Lebanese Muslims.
“The comments were made following a Channel Nine television current affairs show about the conduct of young Lebanese men in Hickson Road at the Rocks.
“The Administrative Decisions Tribunal has found that my comments incited serious contempt of Lebanese males including Lebanese Muslims.
“Those comments were in breach of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.
“I apologise for making those comments which I recognise were unlawful.
“I also apologise on behalf of Radio 2GB.”