An uncharacteristically quiet Alan Jones has been whisked away from a Sydney police station after being granted bail to defend multiple historic alleged indecent assaults.
The veteran broadcaster was "quite calm" when NSW Police turned up at his multimillion-dollar harbourside apartment to arrest him on Monday.
It's alleged the 83-year-old, once one of Australia's most powerful media figures, committed offences against eight people over 18 years from 2001.
The youngest alleged victim was a teenager while and another was employed with the broadcaster when he allegedly indecently assaulted them.
Other alleged victims had never met him before, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said on Monday.
"We will allege the accused knew some of them personally, some of them professionally, and we will also allege that some of the victims, when the alleged offence took place, was the first time they ever met the accused," he said.
Jones shuffled through a media scrum into a waiting Lexus as he left Day Street Police Station in Sydney's city centre about 5.10pm.
The charges against Alan Jones include nine counts of assault with act of indecency. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
While many radio listeners and television viewers have tuned in to hear Jones' comments in the past, this time lawyer Christopher Murphy did the talking.
"Mr Jones will be defending this case, he's presumed innocent," he told reporters.
Police have charged Jones with a total of 24 offences allegedly committed between 2001 and 2019 against eight alleged victims.
Police believe more could follow as the taskforce investigating the broadcaster continues its inquiries, which began in March this year.
Earlier in the day, Jones was taken into a police station in the back of an unmarked car to be questioned about the historical allegations.
"I have been told that he was quite calm and did seek some legal advice ... I really wouldn't want to speak for him," NSW Police child abuse squad commander Linda Howlett told reporters.
Jones, who was granted conditional bail, faces 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under his authority.
He also faces nine counts of indecent assault (victim under authority of offender), two of unwanted sexual touching and two common assault charges.
Jones is expected to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on December 18.
The youngest of the complainants was 17 when the alleged assault took place, police said.
Jones' arrest followed a months-long investigation into allegations in Nine newspapers that the talkback host repeatedly used positions of power to abuse young men.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb says the investigation has been protracted. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
Police confirmed victims came forward following those reports, which led to the taskforce being set up about nine months before the first charges were laid.
Commissioner Karen Webb recently checked on the investigation.
"It is very complex and protracted," she said.
Jones began broadcasting in 1985 after a failed political career and became a feared interviewer capable of grilling leaders while dominating the airwaves with his outspoken, conservative views.
He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut.
Lawyers Bryan Wrench (left) and Christopher Murphy are representing Alan Jones. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
His multiple controversies included suggesting former prime minister Julia Gillard's father "died of shame" and encouraging a federal political leader to give New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern "a few backhanders".
Jones most recently broadcast via digital platform ADH TV but he has not been on-air since November 2023, shortly before the indecent assault allegations were published.
He coached the Australian national men's rugby union team between 1984 and 1988 and his tenure included a number of historic achievements for the Wallabies.
These included a grand slam of wins on their British Isles tour in 1984 and coaching the side to Australia's first Bledisloe Cup win in New Zealand in 39 years in 1986.
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