Mixed reaction to Tony Abbott’s George Pell visit

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has come under fire for reportedly visiting George Pell in jail.

Tony Abbott outside prison after visiting George Pell. Picture: 7News

Former prime minister Tony ­Abbott has come under fire for ­reportedly visiting convicted pedophile George Pell in Melbourne Assessment Prison.

But abuse survivors’ advocate Chrissie Foster said she wasn’t surprised by the visit. “They were very close and have been that way for years,” she said. “He’s free to visit, he’s out of politics so maybe it doesn’t ­matter.”

Mr Abbott was filmed by the Seven Network on Monday leaving the remand centre after a 45-minute visit. When asked about the visit, he said: “Look, I was ­simply visiting a friend, that’s all.”

READ MORE: Back to the courtroom for George Pell

Former Victorian senator Derryn Hinch said the visit was a “cruel insult” to those sexually ­assaulted by the cardinal.

“For Tony Abbott, a former prime minister, to visit Pell, a convicted pedophile, is a disgrace and a cruel insult to his victims,” he wrote on Twitter.

For Tony Abbott, a former Prime Minister, to visit Pell, a convicted paedophile, is a disgrace and a cruel insult to his victims.

— Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) December 2, 2019

Ms Foster and her late husband, Anthony, drew attention to the issue of clergy abuse after two of their daughters were abused by priest Kevin O’Donnell. She said it was “a bit hard” to know how abuse victims would view Mr ­Abbott’s visit, but it was common for associates of criminals not to be swayed by verdicts.

Mr Abbott has been criticised previously for reaching out to Pell following his conviction by the Victorian County Court. In March, Mr Abbott told Sydney radio station 2GB that he ­“absolutely” accepted the jury’s verdict but had telephoned Pell nonetheless.

“There’s a verdict that’s been delivered, a damning verdict against a friend of mine,” he said.

He also said the pair had been “friends for a long time”.

“I’m not a fair-weather friend and this was someone who was going through a very, very bad ­experience,” Mr Abbott said. “I’m not saying he’s the only one going through bad experiences, but he has been a friend of mine for a long time and at times like this you’ve got to feel for people.”

Pell was convicted in December last year on one charge of sexual penetration with a child under 16 and four counts of indecent act with, or in the presence of, a child under 16, relating to two separate incidents in 1996 and 1997.

The first incident related to choristers J and R, who it was found had been sexually abused by Pell after mass. The second incident involved Pell squeezing J’s genitals in a ­corridor.

On Monday, R’s father said he was surprised by Mr ­Abbott’s visit and Pell’s high-profile supporters would have “egg on their faces” if the High Court dismissed Pell’s appeal.

“I was quite surprised somebody who has such a high profile as Mr Abbott would be supporting a convicted pedophile,” the ­father said.

He said he thought people still supported Pell because they didn’t know what was said during the criminal trial. “If it came out what went on in the trial, they would be horrified,” he said.

“He still has his supporters, he still has his so-called friends … If that’s who they want to support, so be it, but to me they don’t know the full facts.”