The MPs who hosted Alan Jones for lunch in NSW Parliament House

Former broadcaster Alan Jones is known for his “pick and stick” club – friends he supports through thick and thin. The favour is returned, it seems, with long-time friend Mark Latham and his former One Nation colleague Rod Roberts last week hosting Jones for lunch at NSW Parliament House.

Jones joined Latham and Roberts for a meal in one of the members’ dining rooms in Macquarie Street last Thursday, a month after new revelations emerged that Jones has been accused of indecently touching nine alleged victims at public locations including the Opera House.

Other locations named in updated court documents tendered in Jones’ indecent assault and sexual touching case include a lower north shore restaurant, inside a lift at the 84-year-old’s former workplace as well as in his homes across Sydney and NSW.

Details of the allegations were outlined last month as it was revealed the matter will not be heard before a jury and two complainants will no longer be involved in the case.

Several sources confirmed Jones was seen in the foyer of Parliament House just before 1pm on Thursday, October 16, before joining Latham and Roberts for a meal in one of the dining rooms.

Asked about the purpose of the lunch, Roberts, a former detective who is now an independent MP after quitting One Nation, said it was a “private matter”. Latham was also contacted for comment.

Latham is a long-time friend and supporter of Jones. In 2018, the pair released a cookbook called Conversations in the Kitchen, billed as simple family-friendly recipes and no-frills food photography interspersed with “conversations” between Jones and Latham.

In 2019, Jones confirmed that he donated $10,000 to One Nation, saying he was “supporting a mate”, the party’s NSW leader Latham.

“We are indeed very happy that someone of Alan Jones’s standing and experience in public policy in Australia is supporting us,” Latham said at the time.

However, Jones’ standing was dealt a blow when Strike Force Bonnefin was established to investigate the former teacher and Wallabies coach following a major investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Jones was initially charged with dozens of offences and now faces 27 counts, as the number of complainants dropped from 11 to nine. He faces 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching.

Earlier court documents seen by this masthead showed the allegations of indecent assault at that time included fondling penises, stroking thighs and squeezing bottoms.

Jones was accused of committing the crimes at his former Newtown home, his harbourside apartment, his farm at Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands, Tamworth in northern NSW and other Sydney spots.

Jones was arrested at his luxury harbourside apartment in Circular Quay in November and has vigorously denied all allegations.

Speaking outside court after his first appearance, he said the allegations were “baseless”.

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