Louise Milligan

Louise Milligan is an Australian investigative reporter and author known for her work exposing institutional abuse and misconduct. As a journalist for ABC's Four Corners program, she has won multiple Walkley Awards and received recognition for her coverage of high-profile legal cases and investigations. Her 2017 book "Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell" became a notable work that examined allegations against Cardinal George Pell and the Catholic Church's handling of sexual abuse cases. The book won the Walkley Book Award and sparked significant public discourse about institutional responses to abuse claims. Milligan's 2020 book "Witness" explored the treatment of sexual assault survivors in the Australian legal system, drawing from her experiences both covering trials as a journalist and being a witness herself. The work provided a critical examination of how courts handle sexual assault cases and treat vulnerable witnesses. Beyond her books, Milligan continues her investigative work at ABC, with a particular focus on justice system issues, institutional accountability, and giving voice to survivors of abuse. Her reporting has contributed to public understanding of complex legal matters and helped drive policy discussions around judicial reform.

Readers commend Milligan's investigative depth and ability to handle sensitive topics with care, particularly in "Cardinal" and "Witness." Her background as a journalist shows in her detailed research and balanced approach. On Goodreads, readers note her clear writing style and thoroughness in examining complex legal cases. Multiple reviews praise her persistence in uncovering difficult truths and giving voice to victims. Common criticisms include a sometimes heavy-handed tone and occasional repetitiveness in presenting evidence. Some readers found the legal details overwhelming in parts. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Cardinal: 4.0/5 (276 ratings) - Witness: 4.2/5 (389 ratings) Amazon: - Cardinal: 4.3/5 (58 reviews) - Witness: 4.5/5 (82 reviews) "She doesn't sensationalize, she investigates," wrote one Amazon reviewer. Another noted: "Dense with facts but never loses the human element."

Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell (2017) Investigative account of Cardinal George Pell's life, career in the Catholic Church, and the sexual abuse allegations that led to his trial.

Witness (2020) Examination of how the Australian legal system treats sexual assault survivors, based on interviews and court case analysis.

The Prosecutor (2023) Chronicles the career of prosecutor Joanne McCarthy and her role in exposing institutional child abuse in Australia.