Pell case shows how individuals can be exposed to legal risk

The antipathy of Victoria’s political leadership and specific media towards George Pell prevents society from acknowledging the risks inherent in our legal system exposed by his case (“Pillars of justice abandoned in mob pursuit of Pell”, 15/5).

What happened to Pell in macro has long happened in micro to members of minority groups, the indigenous and disadvantaged.

Community groupthink shaped by years of negative media representations and a politicised police command invite jury verdicts based on feelings over fact. What guarantee of justice then exists for the indigenous, or Australians of Arabic or Sudanese descent wrongly targeted for drunk and disorderly, terrorism offences, or home invasions?

Unlike the royal commission findings, the High Court’s judgment on the Pell case was based on proof. Its emphatic insistence on rational assessment of evidence is a powerful principle which could protect us all — whatever our race, religion, class, political or cultural tribe — if only every authority upheld it.

Janice Adams, Newport, Vic

What Henry Ergas and your subsequent correspondents don’t say is that of the 405 days George Pell spent in prison, most of them were in solitary confinement.

That’s a disgraceful penalty for a man nearing 80, especially when you then have to digest a 7-0 High Court ruling that the evidence never supported a conviction in the first place.

John Capel, Black Rock, Vic

Jones will be missed

Alan Jones’s retirement has caused a flood of calls to his radio station 2GB. Jones, a broadcaster without peer, will be sadly missed by his audience, or as he says, his radio family, who wake to his voice at dawn, and have done so for 35 years.

It is to his credit that his program was besieged by Scott Morrison and former prime ministers, heads of large companies and sporting people who all professed their regard, affection and thanks for his help at some time during his career. There will never be another Alan Jones, a boy from the Queensland bush with extraordinary intellectual ability and with a capacity to work more hours in a day than is humanly possible.

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan, NSW

Greed to be expected

Janet Albrechtsen’s article (“High noon for cashed up cowboys of class actions”, 13/5) has prompted several letters endorsing her condemnation of rapacious litigation funders and call for restrictions in their operations.

With respect, I feel she and they are missing the point. In a capitalist society, a need by consumers will generate suppliers. That those suppliers may be greedy and not too ethical is, unfortunately, to be expected. But the solution is not to pass more laws. We should look at how our legal system fails people who have been wronged by a powerful and wealthier entity.

Until the legal system is altered to allow individuals to stand a chance against ruthless and amoral people who use the system to destroy those who dare object to being robbed or abused, there will always be someone to offer to help out those who feel wronged but powerless.

Terry Ward, Kingsley, WA

Let the kids play

Having got the professionals a gig, now is the time to get the juniors playing. Junior football is run by volunteers, so playing on weekends won’t cost much. Facilities exist, coaches are on standby and players exist in abundance, so let’s get the games going.

Umpires are there and need to be paid, so a modest levy may be needed. Spectators will in the main be the players’ families, social distancing not a problem and mums and dads will be the judge if a player is sick or not, so let the games begin — it matters.

John Lord, Brighton East, Vic