Provocative radio host Alan Jones has once again split opinions after announcing he will call an end to his controversial 35-year career on the airwaves.
The top-rating breakfast talkback host on Sydney station 2GB revealed on-air during Tuesday morning’s show that he would retire from radio at the end of the month after doctors’ advice to wind back his work commitments.
Just as he has been throughout his radio career, news of the 79-year-old’s retirement was both celebrated and criticised.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was one of the first to wish Jones well, calling into the influential host's program this morning.
2GB radio hosts, Ray Hadley, Alan Jones and Ben Fordham. Source: AAP
“You’ve always done the right thing by your country and we’re very proud of that,” Mr Morrison said.
"You’ve always spoken your mind to everyone, including me, and we’ve had one or two disagreements, but you’ve always done the right thing for your country."
Former PM Tony Abbott also paid tribute to Jones' media career.
"You were the person who would stand up for the battler. You were the person who would articulate what millions of people were thinking, but couldn't quite bring themselves to say," Mr Abbott said.
Investigative journalist Chris Masters, who wrote a Jones biography called Jonestown, said Jones "profoundly changed the radio landscape".
“Alan was tough, ruthless and took no prisoners,” he said
“He was sometimes extremely unfair and vicious but he also advocated for the little person who was on struggle street.
Jones was regularly under fire for his political commentary, most recently sparking outrage for suggesting Mr Morrison “shove a sock down the throat” of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in 2019.
The controversy caused a major backlash, prompting several advertisers to withdraw from his program.
He also stirred controversy in 2012 when he said former prime minister Julia Gillard’s father had “died of shame” while speaking at a Liberal Party function.
"He said terrible things about women, especially women leaders, of course. He began saying that women were destroying the joint," journalism academic Jenna Price said.
Jones also had a successful stint as coach of Australia’s national Rugby Union team and Rugby League club Balmain Tigers.
Former star Wallabies winger David Campese paid homage to Jones.
“He made the Wallabies professional in an amateur era,” Campese said.
“What he did was make the team understand that if we wanted to be the best then we needed to work hard.
“It is a part of life, Alan Jones on the radio. He has done a fantastic job.
Jones will continue his involvement in public life as a host on Sky News, as well as writing for the Daily Telegraph and The Australian newspaper.
