ABC footage, transcripts passed on to George Pell's defence team

10-1-2018
The Courier

Cardinal George Pell's lawyers will examine interview footage from the ABC as Australia's highest-ranking Catholic fights multiple historical sex offence charges in Victoria.

Pell, who denies the allegations, is the most senior Catholic cleric to be charged with sex offences.

His lawyers returned to Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday for an administrative update about the subpoenas they sent to the ABC and investigative journalist Louise Milligan, who wrote the book Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell.

In December the ABC and Ms Milligan agreed to hand over some of the material sought by Pell's lawyers.

"There's been production to the registry of a hard drive containing footage and transcripts," defence barrister Ruth Shann told the court on Wednesday.

It's understood the footage contains unedited interviews between Ms Milligan and some of the complainants who have accused Pell of historical sex offences.

Pell was not required to attend court on Wednesday.

The former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop and Ballarat priest has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to defend himself.

He will face a four-week pre-trial committal hearing in March to determine if he should stand trial.

Some of the hearing will be closed to the public when the complainants give evidence about the alleged sexual offences.

Pell, who insists he is innocent, is the highest-ranking Catholic official in the world to be charged with sexual abuse, and the allegations date back decades.

The former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop and Ballarat priest has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to defend himself.

His lawyers are due to return to Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday for an administrative update.

Pell's defence team has sent subpoenas to the ABC and investigative journalist Louise Milligan, who published her book Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell.

In December the ABC agreed to hand over some of the documents sought by Pell's lawyers.

Victims' advocacy group Broken Rites has already handed over documents to Pell's legal team after a subpoena ordered them to do so.

Pell is not required to attend Wednesday's special mention, and is due to face a four-week committal hearing in March to determine if he should stand trial.