Material from Louise Milligan’s book on the cardinal subpoenaed as part of his defence against historical sexual offence charges

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Investigative journalist Louise Milligan is protecting confidential sources who contributed to her book about Cardinal George Pell, material from which has been subpoenaed as part of his defence against historical sexual offence charges.

Counsel for Pell, Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic, appeared before Melbourne magistrates court on Wednesday for an administrative update about subpoenas it sent to the public broadcaster and Milligan, who wrote Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell.

Earlier in January the ABC provided a hard drive containing footage and transcripts to the court after Milligan agreed to hand over some of the material sought by Pell’s lawyers.

It’s understood the footage contains unedited interviews between Milligan and complainants who have accused Pell of multiple historical sexual offences.

“The material has been provided to the court in tranches,” defence lawyer Paul Galbally told the court.

Magistrate Suzanne Cameron said the ABC had redacted some of the requested material under legal and professional privilege.

She also said Milligan had not handed over documents about confidential sources.

Another magistrate has previously said some of the material sought by Pell would be subject to journalistic privilege.

But Pell’s legal team has avoided the issue of journalistic privilege after negotiations with the ABC and Milligan.

Victims’ advocacy group Broken Rites handed over documents to Pell’s legal team in December after a subpoena ordered it to do so.

Pell was not required to appear in court on Wednesday.

The 76-year-old is the most senior Catholic cleric in the world to be charged with sexual offences and denies the allegations.

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

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

His lawyers will return to court in February for another administrative update.