Good afternoon.
The high-profile trial of former broadcaster Alan Jones, where he is accused of indecent assault and sexual touching, began today. Jones, 85, is facing 22 charges and has pleaded not guilty.
The judge-only trial heard that the former radio announcer allegedly gave a teenager cash before giving the alleged victim a “peck kiss”. The victim, anonymised as J before the court, also alleged that after an incident where Jones allegedly kissed him he told him he had “been a really good boy” and increased his weekly stipend. Earlier, Jones’s defence barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, alleged victims in the case were egged on to complain by media rivals.
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In pictures
The theme of the 26th Garma festival was Bukmak, meaning all of us, everyone together in Yolngu language. Indigenous affairs reporter Douglas Smith was on the ground in Arnhem Land for the four-day cultural festival which showcased how Indigenous leaders are looking to the future and focusing on hope. See the best pictures from the event here.
What they said …
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“Democracy doesn’t happen on the ABC at all …” – Pauline Hanson.
One Nation has named its first candidates for the upcoming Victorian state election, as leader Pauline Hanson vowed to ban the ABC and the Guardian from attending her press conferences during the campaign. Guardian Australia understands an ABC reporter was refused entry to Hanson’s press conference on Monday, when she announced seven of the eight candidates who will lead One Nation’s upper house tickets. The ABC declined to comment.
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Your guide to Alan Jones’ trial
Alan Jones fronted court today on 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges, spanning a nearly two-decade period. He denies all charges.
But how did we get here? Once a media giant who enjoyed the height of influence and power, he is now the centre of one of Australia’s highest-profile criminal cases. The Guardian’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, joins Nour Haydar to get us up to speed on the trial.
Before bed read
Each week during Australian Poetry Month, a poet walks us through one of their works. Today, Keri Glastonbury draws on a camping trip to the Warrumbungles in a poem about Australia, family and ageing.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: HIS. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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