This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The committal hearing has begun for Australia’s most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, with his barrister, Robert Richter QC, accusing police of failing to properly investigate.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington will decide over the next four weeks whether there is enough evidence to order him to stand trial on charges of past sexual offences.



Police formed a wall on either side of the footpath along William Street in Melbourne’s CBD, flanking Pell on both sides as he walked up to the court, where reporters from dozens of news outlets from around the world were waiting.

Outside the court people held up placards that read, “No trial by media” and “The truth will set you free”.

When Pell entered the courtroom shortly after 9am, a woman called out: “Hello, Father.” Lawyers dealt largely with administrative and preliminary matters before closing the court to the media and the public just before 10.30am.

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Richter told Wallington that by law, prosecutors should make documents relevant to the alleged offences available to the defence team to assist them in their cross-examination of witnesses. He added that the defence team had provided many witness statements to the police, which he said police were obliged to investigate properly.

“They have not done so,” Richter said.

He also said the defence should have access to a document outlining how police investigate complaints against prominent people, adding that police would be cross-examined by the defence team.



Police should also provide the court with any exculpatory material they had acquired that might depict Pell favourably, he said.

Pell, 76, has repeatedly and vehemently denied the offences he is charged with, which involve multiple complainants. Pell does not need to enter a formal plea unless committed to stand trial.

The courtroom at the Melbourne magistrate’s’ court was filled mostly with reporters, and an overflow room was opened to accommodate reporters and members of the public.

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On Friday prosecutors withdrew one of the charges, relating to a complainant who died after the criminal proceedings began in 2017. About 50 witnesses are expected to give evidence over the next month.

The court heard complainants will have support staff next to them while they give evidence in a remote witness facility. Prosecutors also asked for permission for a witness support dog to be allowed in the facility, which was described in the court as “a relatively new initiative”.

Richter responded: “I always thought dogs were there for children and very old people, but if they want a dog …”, to which Wallington replied: “They’re also for vulnerable people.”

Richter replied: “Well, whatever comfort the dog can give, we don’t object to the dog.”



Richter asked for Pell to be allowed a priest as a support person, owing to his age and a medical condition.

Pell has taken leave from his position at the Vatican as prefect of the secretariat for the economy to fight the charges. He is staying in Sydney and flew to Melbourne for court appearances. He is a former archbishop of Sydney and Melbourne.

The committal hearing continues.