George Pell: Order of Australia likely to be stripped

George Pell is about to fall in with an inauspicious crowd of people who have had their honours stripped.

George Pell is likely to be stripped of his Order of Australia. Picture: AP.

George Pell is about to fall in with an inauspicious crowd of people who have had their honours stripped, after an appeal against his conviction for child sex abuse failed in Victoria’s Supreme Court yesterday.

Scott Morrison said the Appeal Court’s decision to quash the appeal meant the disgraced cardinal could lose his honours, which include his Companion of the Order of Australia, the nation’s highest honour.

“The courts have done their job, they’ve rendered their verdict (and) that’s the system of justice in the country that must be respected,” the Prime Minister said.

“Of course, in my understanding that means the stripping of the honours happens externally to the government. That is a process that’s done independent and that of course will now follow.”

Mr Morrison said his sympathies lay with the survivors of child sex abuse.

Pell received his AC in 2005 for his service to the Catholic Church domestically and internationally, and for raising debate on matters of an ethical and spiritual nature, education and ­social justice.

Others who have been stripped of their honours include former children’s entertainer Rolf Harris, who was convicted of indecent assault, disgraced business tycoon Alan Bond and former judge Marcus Einfeld, who was jailed for lying over a speeding ticket.

Governor-General David Hurley said he could remove honours after all legal proceedings ­concluded. “Appointments to the Order of Australia may be terminated and one of the grounds is conviction for a crime or offence under a law of the commonwealth, state or territory,” he said.

“Once all legal proceedings have run their course, the Council for the Order of Australia may make a recommendation to me as chancellor of the order, which I will act on.”

Pell’s spokeswoman, Katrina Lee, yesterday flagged a potential appeal to the High Court and said Pell maintained his innocence.