‘Gerbil’ Joyce hits back at Kyle Sandilands investigated over slur

SHOCK jock Kyle Sandilands unleashed a tirade on federal minister Barnaby Joyce over the deportation of Johnny Depp’s dogs. Now the man labelled a ‘gerbil’ has hit back.

Kyle Sandilands pictured at Double Bay today.

BARNABY Joyce has lodged an official complaint against radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands after he called the agriculture minister “a wanker”, “a loser”, “a fool”, “a ponce” and a “gerbil of a thing” during a heated interview.

Mr Joyce agreed to an interview on KIIS FM on May 15 to discuss the controversy surrounding Hollywood star Johnny Depp’s dogs, Pistol and Boo who had been illegally smuggled into Australia on a private jet.

The cabinet minister had threatened to euthanise the dogs if they were not immediately sent back to the United States.

Sandilands launched a tirade at Mr Joyce, questioning his handling of the matter.

Mr Joyce’s chief-of-staff Diana Hallam wrote a letter to station management and also to media watchdog, Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Barnaby Joyce has hit back at Kyle Sandliands asking the communications watchdog to investigate his tirade. Pic by Gary Ramage

The interview conducted by Mr Sandilands contained language and behaviour that is outside the acceptable standards and norms of robust political debate and common decency in public broadcasting,’’ the letter read.

“Mr Joyce was invited on the program and was immediately subjected to a stream of invective, which included Mr Sandilands describing Mr Joyce variously as; “a cock” and a “wanker”.

“Mr Joyce was also called “a loser”, “an idiot”, “a fool”, “a disgrace”, “an absolute joke” and “a ponce”.

Kyle Sandilands slammed Barnaby Joyce over the deportation of Johnny Depp’s dogs Pistol and Boo. PICTURE: AP

“After hanging up on Mr Joyce, Mr Sandilands described Mr Joyce as a “gerbil of a thing”, a phrase which has extremely ugly connotations.”

The letter claims the “Kyle and Jackie O Show’s” producer defended the segment, saying the extreme profanities were “beeped out.”

ACMA’s chair and chief executive Chris Chapman said he was aware of the complaint, but would not comment on whether it breached guidelines.

Depp flew into Brisbane Airport in April on a private jet, to film Pirates of the Caribbean, before setting up in a Gold Coast mansion.

The dogs were not spotted until they appeared at a dog parlour on social media.