Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, , 5:11:35 to 5:13:50
Senator Henderson questions the ABC on legal advice obtained before broadcasting a trailer for the Alan Jones documentary, citing concerns about contempt of court and sub judice matters.
Topics: Integrity, Government legal services
Speakers: Senator The Hon Sarah Henderson, Hugh Marks
Thank you very much, Chair and Mr. Marks and to your team. Good afternoon, and thank you very much for your attendance. It was my great pleasure to join your presentation of your content lineup for and program slate for 2027. And I think, and I have to say you'll be pleased to know I start this estimates praising some of uh what looks to be some really exciting programmes for next I'll do this carefully, but I just wanted to raise some concerns about the Alan Jones documentary, The Rise and Fall of Alan Jones. Now we saw a trailer of that documentary at a time when Mr. Jones is before the courts in relation to allegations. Obviously, that is a matter for the courts. Did you get any legal advice in relation to broadcasting or publishing that trailer? Because it contained some pretty damning commentary about Mr. Jones's character.
Senator, I'm not sure of the exact nature of the legal advice in relation to the trailer that was broadcast during the showcase, but I can assure you that before the programme goes to air, it will be subject to whatever the appropriate rules of the court are, and of course, appropriate defamatory investigation and advice. So you know we will be ensuring that the programme meets all relevant standards and requirements.
So is it your intention to broadcast that program prior to the conclusion of the court proceedings?
The exact date of broadcast will be subject to what happens in those proceedings and a timing low, so that's still unknown.
I wasn't raising so much concerns about defamation, it was more contempt and subdued to see. Did you get any legal advice in relation to playing that trailer?
I'm sure that would have been subject to advice, Senator, but I'm not sure. I don't know myself.
Could you take that on notice and sure?
Yes. Absolutely.