An apology, of sorts ... shock jock Alan Jones at Sunday's press conference / Pic: Nikki Short Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE fallout for Alan Jones over his controversial comment that Julia Gillard's father "died of shame" intensified yesterday, with more sponsors pulling ads, his top-rating radio show being axed by several regional radio stations and the talkback host dumped from speaking at an anti-coal seam gas rally.
Coles, Mercedes-Benz, Freedom Furniture, Dilmah Tea, ING Direct, Challenger financial services and the Australian International Motor Show yesterday joined a growing list of major companies to cancel advertising on Jones' top rating 2GB breakfast show.
By last night more than 39,000 people had signed an online petition calling on advertisers to pull support from the program following the publication of Jones' comments at a Sydney University Liberal Club dinner late last month.
Source: Supplied
Senior Labor MPs used the controversy to attack Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, claiming he had failed to sufficiently condemn the remarks.
Several cabinet ministers, including Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, also threatened to boycott the program, although the move was branded as hollow given few appear on the program.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman defended the broadcaster, saying it took "guts" to publicly apologise and said he would have no problem appearing on Jones' radio show.
Woolworths also distanced itself from the furore after it emerged that the grocery giant's head of government affairs, Simon Berger, was the MC at the dinner and had donated a chaff bag jacket signed by Jones to be auctioned on the night.
Source: News Limited
Source: Supplied
The jacket was a reference to previous comments made by Jones that Ms Gillard should be put in a chaff bag with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and thrown in the sea. Jones bought the jacket at the auction.
"We've acknowledged that a staff member, in a private capacity, attended the Young Liberals function where Mr Jones made some offensive comments about the Prime Minister," a Woolworths' statement said. "Woolworths in no way supports the comments made at that function."
A spokesman said the company was not currently advertising on Jones' program but had suspended any future advertising "indefinitely".
It wasn't just advertisers walking away, with two regional radio stations, Albury's 2AY and 2QN in Deniliquin, yesterday cutting ties, citing overwhelming negative listener feedback.
In a personal blow to Jones, the organisers of the Rock the Gate Northern Rivers anti-CSG rally in Murwillumbah withdrew an invitation for him to speak at the event.
Rally organiser Michael McNamara said he was left with no choice after Jones' "incomprehensible" remarks about the late John Gillard.
"That anybody would suggest a parent died of shame because of their child is so beyond the pale. It beggars belief that anybody, let alone someone with any sort of public profile, would think it, let alone (say) it," Mr McNamara said.
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