As Australia’s coronavirus outbreak continues, a lot of important news has slipped under the radar.
Here are the most important stories you may have missed over the past week. From the statement of George Pell’s accuser to the worst coral bleaching the Great Barrier Reef has ever seen.
You can find last week’s list here.
Revelation to be re-uploaded
The ABC’s major documentary series Revelation aired its final episode last Thursday, focusing on Cardinal George Pell.
The reporter Sarah Ferguson obtained multiple on-camera interviews with the men who accused Pell of assault in the so-called “swimming pool trial”, which was discontinued by Victoria Police before it went to trial. It contained previously unpublished details of further child sexual abuse allegations against Pell.
The original version was beamed out days before Pell’s appeal – against a separate allegation of assault – was decided by the high court. After the verdict, it was taken offline from iView. But the ABC has stated that it stands by its reporting and the episode will be uploaded again shortly.
Ferguson tweeted: “We are updating yesterday’s events. Nothing has been pulled.”
Read the full story here.
Pell accuser releases statement
After Tuesday’s high court decision, the man who accused Pell of sexually abusing him and another boy, released a statement urging victims of child sexual abuse to continue coming forward and to not be discouraged by the high court’s decision.
“There are a lot of checks and balances in the criminal justice system and the appeal process is one of them,” he wrote. “I respect that. But the price we pay for weighting the system in favour of the accused is that many sexual offences against children go unpunished.
“I would like to reassure child sexual abuse survivors that most people recognise the truth when they hear it. They know the truth when they look it in the face. I am content with that.
“This case does not define me. I am a man who came forward for my friend who, sadly, is no longer with us. I am a man doing my best to be a loving dad, partner, son, brother and friend.”
You can read his full comments here.
Great Barrier Reef suffers most widespread bleaching seen yet
On Tuesday marine scientists confirmed that the Great Barrier Reef had experienced its third mass bleaching in five years. And this summer’s was the most widespread yet.
A quarter of the reef suffered “severe bleaching”. And all three sections (north, central and south) experienced severe bleaching for the first time since 1998.
Read the full story here.
‘Urgent action must be taken’
On that news, Guardian Australia’s environment editor, Adam Morton, wrote beautifully on what this means and what we need to do to stop it happening again:
The news is overwhelming and exhausting in a way it has rarely been in most of our lifetimes, but if you have five minutes of energy left this is worth your attention.
Read his piece here.
The surreal scenes of George Pell’s final verdict
And finally on Tuesday’s major news from the high court, read Queensland correspondent Ben Smee’s feature on how the verdict was delivered.
In a Covid-19 world, the courtroom for the case of the decade was nearly empty. How did the chief justice, Susan Kiefel, even deliver the verdict, when physical distancing rules meant only three journalists and two lawyers were allowed to sit inside?
Read the full story here.
William Tyrrell detective found guilty of illegal recording
The former detective Gary Jubelin, who led the investigation into the disappearance of William Tyrrell, was found guilty on Monday of illegally recording during the investigation.
Jubelin had recorded four conversations he had with the Tyrrell family’s neighbour, Paul Savage, and defended them as being made to protect himself in the event that Savage made a complaint or self-harmed.
Read the full story here.
Asic sues investment fund Mayfair 101
The corporate watchdog has started legal proceedings against the high-profile Queensland investment fund, Mayfair 101, who are behind the redevelopment of the resort on Dunk Island.
Asic is accusing the company of misleading and deceptive advertising and wants the court to impose a fine of up to $10.5m for each breach.
Read the full story here.
