True Blue Conversations - Margaret Cunneen SC - “The Boxing Butterfly A Life Of Conviction”

On this weeks podcast, I spoke with Australian barrister & Public Prosecutor now
defence lawyer Margaret Cunneen SC.
For over four decades, Margaret Cunneen helped put away some of Australia's worst,
as a crown prosecutor and, as her profile grew, so did the media attention, Margaret
recalls the headline cases that helped establish her reputation, the controversies she
became embroiled in.

In 2022 Margaret published her autobiography “ The Boxing Butterfly” A Life Of
Conviction is a career chronicle of Margaret Cunneen SC—the boxing butterfly who
turned the tables on ICAC, amidst prosecuting murderers, pedophiles and
rapists—as she launches into her new chapter as a defence barrister. In her rearview
mirror, Cunneen sees her trial successes—her convictions—interspersed with the
flak from the ground fire of some colleagues who resented her success and were
determined to stop her climb to greater heights. She regrets nothing and is satisfied
with what she does. As Madam Crown, she empathised with the victims and their
families. Now, as defence counsel, she empathises with the accused she defends.
And what stories she tells! Some are gruesome and confronting, such as prosecuting
the irreverent Skafs for gang rape, Robert ‘Dolly’ Dunn for pedophilia, the Butcher of
Bega for unspeakable medical malpractice and the Charbaji Brothers for an ice-
fuelled torture session that ended in murder. Others—especially relating to her
defence clients, are filled with humanity.  Margaret is a wife Mother and Grandmother
loves her NRL and is a passionate Manly fan, she is deeply faithful we spoke about
the many high-profile cases she has been involved with the toll of being in the public
sector, and how Margaret dealt with some of the terrible cases she has worked on
over the 45 years. This was a ripping chat.

Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Margaret Cunneen SC
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway