Story perspectives

Alan Jones Pleads Not Guilty as Media Allowed Evidence

8/3/2026

Summary

Alan Jones Pleads

Alan Jones, 85, pleaded not guilty to 22 indecent assault and sexual-touching charges as his trial began in Sydney.
Judge Glenn Walsh is hearing a judge-only trial expected to last four months with 76 witnesses.
Prosecutors allege six men were abused from 2003 to 2020 at Jones’s apartment, Fitzroy Falls estate and other sites.

Summary

Walsh Rejects Block

Judge Glenn Walsh rejected Jones’s bid to block media reporting of in-camera evidence, permitting publication.
Walsh said the Criminal Procedure Act does not let him issue a suppression order, contrary to barrister Claire O’Neill’s claim.
He cited parliamentary speeches indicating the media-observation provision was never meant to stop evidence publication.
Seven outlets were authorised to attend the complainant’s testimony, with Amelia Causley-Todd saying law aims to enable reporting of evidence.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 the High Court, in Australian Capital Television v Commonwealth, upheld an implied freedom of political communication with a 5-2 majority authored by Justices Mason, Brennan and Deane, striking down Part IIID of the Broadcasting Act. That precedent guides Judge Glenn Walsh’s 2024 refusal to seal in-camera evidence in the Alan Jones trial, allowing seven outlets to report.

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Alan Jones Pleads

Alan Jones, 85, pleaded not guilty to 22 indecent assault and sexual-touching charges as his trial began in Sydney.
Judge Glenn Walsh is hearing a judge-only trial expected to last four months with 76 witnesses.
Prosecutors allege six men were abused from 2003 to 2020 at Jones’s apartment, Fitzroy Falls estate and other sites.

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