Teal candidate Alex Dyson took part in Hitler comedy session

Victorian senator Sarah Henderson has accused teal candidate Alex Dyson of actively participating in an anti-Semitic radio segment that aired in 2012 | LISTEN

Victorian senator Sarah Henderson has accused teals candidate Alex Dyson – a former host on the ABC’s youth station Triple J – of actively participating in an anti-Semitic radio segment that aired in 2012, and has raised questions about his suitability to run for ­parliament.

Mr Dyson, who is standing against Liberal MP Dan Tehan in the upcoming federal election in the Victorian seat of Wannon, took part in the offending radio segment alongside his then co-host Tom Ballard and comedian Alan Brough in August 2012.

Dyson and Ballard invited listeners to phone into the Triple J program and link a random, everyday topic to Adolf Hitler. During the segment, Ballard attempted a joke linking wind farms to “fan forced” Nazi crematory ovens.

Dyson can be heard on the audio, obtained by The Australian, laughing in the background.

The ABC apologised for the segment at the time, but Dyson himself did not.

Dyson is running in the seat of Wannon, Victoria.

“In the face of Australia’s growing anti-Semitism crisis, this goes to the heart of the teals’ integrity,” Senator Henderson told The Australian on Sunday. “While Alex Dyson can be heard saying ‘no, no, fan-forced, no’, the tape makes clear the conversation was shut down by a guest comedian … the tape contradicts Alex Dyson’s claim he condemned the ‘joke’ and raises serious questions about his failure to unreservedly apologise for the segment.”

Contacted by The Australian on Sunday, Dyson said: “The segment – brought into the show by a touring comedian – was inappropriate and in bad taste. I regret that I and the on-air producer failed to intervene sooner, which ultimately led to Tom Ballard’s tasteless joke.

“I’m pleased he apologised and once again extend my personal remorse for pain caused.

“I’m disappointed that the wounds caused by Tom’s comment are being reopened for political purposes, especially in a time of such pain for the Jewish ­community.”

Last August, teals MP Zoe Daniel, who holds the seat of Goldstein, in Victoria, launched Dyson’s campaign.

Senator Henderson said Ms Daniel, who last year claimed that the ABC had in fact commended Dyson over his handling of the incident at the time, also had questions to answer.

“It is clear Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel is working hand in glove with Alex Dyson to downplay his role in this sordid affair,” she said.

“She should also explain how Alex Dyson was commended by ABC management when there is no evidence to support this claim.”

Ms Daniel was unavailable for comment on Sunday, according to her spokesman.

On Sunday, Dyson said an “ABC manager” had verbally commended him at the time over the way he handled the on-air incident.

An ABC spokesman declined to comment.

The 13-year-old audio recording of the segment came to light after ABC managing director David Anderson intervened to release it to Senator Henderson earlier this month.

Senator Henderson had sought the audio via Freedom of Information request via the national broadcaster on December 23, and on January 22 she received a response from Mr Anderson.

“The ABC followed its normal procedures in declining to provide program material through the FOI process. However, given the ABC’s role in our democracy and that this program material has already aired in public, I am using my discretion to make it available to you now.”