Flint-Jones Letters Blocked

Alan Jones and ex-ABA chief, David Flint, have reportedly blocked a bid to access ‘candid’ correspondence because it would involve ‘unreasonable disclosure of personal information’.

Flint has told Samantha Maiden and Michael McKinnon in The Australian, it would be unreasonable to disclose the correspondence, arguing the letters – sought by the newspaper, under Freedom of Information laws – contain ‘personal information intended by the author for my eyes only’.

The ABA, however, has ruled the material should be in the public domain, describing the letters as ‘of interest to many people because they may cause some embarrassment to one or both correspondent’.

Flint and Jones have apparently been granted 30 days to lodge an appeal.

This latest development in the Flint saga follows allegations by John Laws that Jones had pressured the Prime Minister to reappoint the Professor.

According to The Australian, Jones argues the material it seeks includes personal material and that their release would be ‘of no demonstrable relevance to the affairs of government’.

An ABA document disputes the claims, noting “the letters from Mr Jones are written on 2UE letterhead, suggesting that Mr Jones wrote the letter in his role as broadcaster, rather than his role as a private citizen”.

“He did not indicate that he intended any letter to be personal to Professor Flint by marking it confidential.

“The letters are an exchange between the chairman of the Commonwealth agency, responsible for regulating broadcasting in Australia, and a prominent broadcaster whose actions have been subject to an investigation by that agency.”

Emails released also reportedly reveal that an ABA media release, at the height of the furore, was sent “to the PM’s office” allowing for “reasonable amendment”.

According to the ABA, several of the letters were not in the official record keeping system, but were discovered following a search of the former Chairman’s office.