Ray Hadley faced sustained questioning about his rivalry with Alan Jones and a failed $4 million radio contract as he resumed giving evidence at the veteran broadcaster’s criminal trial in Sydney.
Hadley, Jones’s former colleague at 2GB, was cross-examined by defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday. Jones, 85, denies 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching involving six men.
The court heard Hadley had signed a confidential agreement in late 2018 to replace Jones on 2GB’s breakfast programme from July 2019, after being approached by businessman John Singleton, then a major shareholder in Macquarie Media.
Hadley said the proposed move collapsed after Singleton reduced his stake in the company, which was later acquired by Nine Entertainment. He told the court he nevertheless insisted the station honour an agreement to double his salary from $2 million to $4 million.
Jones subsequently renewed his breakfast contract for two years in May 2019. Hadley rejected the suggestion that the decision had been a professional blow, saying it had instead left him earning more for doing the same job.
“Inadvertently Mr Jones had doubled my salary for doing the same job,” he said.
The defence is expected to argue that Hadley encouraged complainant C to make allegations against Jones as part of the broadcasters’ professional conflict. Hadley has acknowledged that the pair had a “tumultuous relationship” and that he used derogatory names when referring to Jones.
He also agreed that he had used a homophobic slur in a text message to complainant C about Jones in October 2019. When Bashir suggested he had harboured animosity towards Jones at the time, Hadley replied: “I wasn’t happy with him.” ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/radio-host-ray-hadley-continues-evidence-at-alan-jones-trial/107104158))
Hadley told the court that a 2GB colleague had informed him Jones had “marshalled the troops” and ordered staff to “dig up some dirt on Hadley”. He denied appearing as a witness to discredit that employee.
“Not at all, I’ve come here to tell the truth, I’m under oath,” Hadley said.
He was also questioned about a message exchange with Jones after Jones became ill in 2019. Hadley had written that he loved Jones “above ground”, a reference to his earlier joke that Jones was “crook as Rookwood”.
Hadley rejected the suggestion that the message was insincere, telling the court he had not wanted Jones to die despite their difficult relationship. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/radio-host-ray-hadley-continues-evidence-at-alan-jones-trial/107104158))
His evidence concerns a conversation in late 2019 in which complainant C allegedly told him that Jones had touched him and kissed him without consent on several occasions. Hadley said the man became distressed while describing what had happened and feared Jones was too powerful for him to make a complaint.
Jones has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Hadley’s cross-examination is continuing before Judge Glenn Walsh after proceedings resumed following the lunch adjournment. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/01/2gb-rival-ray-hadley-evidence-alan-jones-trial-alleged-sexual-touching-ntwnfb))
