Veteran radio host sacked over on-air Brittany Higgins comments
Veteran radio presenter Jeremy Cordeaux has been sacked following his controversial comments about alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins over the weekend.
Cordeaux, 75, called Ms Higgins a "silly girl who got drunk" on his Saturday show on Adelaide's FIVEaa station.
The former staffer alleges she was raped in Defence Minister Linda Reynolds' office in 2019 by a colleague.
Cordeaux questioned Ms Higgins's account and called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take a similar approach.
“I just ask myself why the prime minister doesn’t call it out for what it is," he said.
“If this girl has been raped, why hasn’t the guy who raped her been arrested? Apparently everyone knows his name."
Cordeaux also questioned why Ms Higgins and her alleged abuser were allowed into parliament while intoxicated.
On Monday, FIVEaa breakfast host David Penberthy informed listeners Cordeaux had been dismissed from his role.
“We acknowledge that the comments were completely inappropriate and offensive," he said.
"The views expressed by Jeremy Cordeaux do not reflect those held by FIVEaa and Nova Entertainment and we unequivocally withdraw them."
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young welcomed the decision to "sack a dinosaur" and called on Mr Morrison to take a similar approach in parliament.
'Discouraging sexual abuse victims'
Former federal MP Kate Ellis told News Corp Cordeaux's comments were "mean" and "ignorant", and discouraged victims of sexual abuse to come forward.
Earlier this month it was revealed Senator Reynolds had called Ms Higgins a "lying cow".
Senator Reynolds later apologised and after Ms Higgins sought legal action over the remarks, both parties settled on compensation that was later donated to a sexual assault support group.
Ms Higgins's claims have led to a series of alleged incidences of abuse and inappropriate behaviour in parliament coming to light, with Mr Morrison vowing to change the current culture and injustices women face in Canberra and across the nation.
Cordeaux's broadcast career has spanned seven decades and he has also worked in television. In 2006 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his work in the industry.
In December, FIVEaa station manager Craig Munn called Cordeaux a "wonderful broadcaster" as he moved to weekend mornings.
Good to see 5AA dump Mr Cordeux and Nova step up and take this issue seriously.
Took 5AA a couple of days to sack a dinosaur. Why is it taking the Prime Minister so long to get it? https://t.co/Sh7RIUEQCG— 💚🌏 Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) March 28, 2021
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