Jail time possible on Pell reports

JOURNALISTS and media organisations could face more than a dozen separate contempt trials over the publication of details about George Pell’s conviction.

Cardinal Pell (pictured) was convicted behind closed doors on five child sexual abuse charges in December 2018 – and acquitted by the High Court this year.

Suppression orders in place because of a pending second trial, which was later dropped, meant his conviction could not be reported until months later.

But some media outlets published information about the conviction of a high-profile Australian and referenced court orders.

Victoria’s Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd QC has charged 11 corporations and 19 individuals with contempt over the publications.

Barrister Matt Collins QC, who is representing all 30 accused, told Victoria’s Supreme Court yesterday multiple trials were likely to be sought.

“At present it appears to us there are 13 separate controversies and, on the face of it, it would be an injustice to have journalists for rival news organisations to face trial at the same time,” he said yesterday.

All would be heard by a judge alone.

Dr Collins said his clients were anxious for the case to be resolved.

“They’ve had these matters hanging over their heads for far too long,” he said.

Justice John Dixon agreed the case, which has been going for more than a year, was dragging on too long.

He noted it seemed the parties hadn’t agreed to any facts in the case, noting the prosecution argument that Cardinal Pell was a high-profile Australian hadn’t been accepted by the defence.

But Dr Collins said while that seemed an uncontroversial statement, the status of Cardinal Pell’s profile in Darwin, Perth or anywhere else outside Victoria was irrelevant.

He said given the serious contempt charges being faced, they couldn’t admit such a bold allegation.

But prosecution lawyer Lisa De Ferrari SC said the suppression orders over the case applied Australia-wide, so it was relevant.

If convicted, organisations face significant fines while individuals face up to five years in prison.

Dr Collins previously described the charges as as “serious as it gets” and said guilty findings could have a “chilling effect” on open justice.

Justice Dixon listed vember 9 for the first trial.

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