Apology by Alan Jones signifies nothing

EVEN if we cast Alan Jones's 45-minute rambling non-apology apology yesterday as contrition, that doesn't get past the fact that previously when Jones has apologised for his vile commentary about Julia Gillard it hasn't changed his approach.

In other words, an apology from Jones means very little: his arrogance prevents him truly conceding the error of his ways.

Readers will remember that Jones previously used his radio program to declare that the PM should be put in a chaff bag and thrown out to sea. He apologised for the statement, yet at the same function where Jones made his latest offensive remarks he signed - and was the highest bidder for - a jacket sewn from chaff bags that was auctioned for the Sydney University Liberal club.

In fact, yesterday, he even started defending the manner in which he made those chaff-bag remarks. That's an example of how Jones follows up an apology, and hence why any apology from him is meaningless.

While Jones is well known for his rugby coaching days and for his dominant role on radio, perhaps less well known is that he tried five times unsuccessfully to become an MP for the conservative side of politics. The shock jock now seeks to help his mates win parliamentary elections from behind the microphone instead. The only problem is that Jones often does more harm than good, suggesting that Liberal Party preselectors knew what they were doing when they ended Jones's political career before it ever got started.

The last thing that Tony Abbott needed right now was one of his closest political allies mounting the sort of attack on the PM that Jones has done.

The latest offensive remarks have probably built sympathy for the PM just when she and her party have achieved at least a partial polling reprieve.

There is little doubt voters are upset with the government's performance, not to mention that of the PM. But Jones has provided a high-profile distraction from the government's performance, which reflects badly on himself and the Liberal Party: the hosts of his disgraceful speech.

Jones likes to conform to the pick-and-stick philosophy of friendship. But yesterday when Jones's name was mentioned there was little picking and sticking to be seen. It was more a case of cutting and running.