Nick McKenzie on Mick Gatto, the underworld, and construction corruption
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
I'm Daniel James, and you're listening to 7am. In Melbourne, few names carry the weight of Mick Gatto. For decades, he's been known as a survivor of the gangland wars, a man whose influence has stretched from the city's underworld into the heart of the construction industry. This week, police raided his home.
Who is Mick Gatto and why is he significant in Melbourne's underworld?
Gato and his wife were arrested, then released without charge. He says it's all over a driving infringement. Police say they're investigating alleged financial offences. But the raid has landed in the middle of a much larger fight over corruption, intimidation and alleged underworld influence inside Victoria's building sector. Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie on Mick Gatto, corruption in the construction industry and the reckoning now facing the state's big build. It's Friday, June 5. Nick, for those who aren't familiar with Mick Gatto, can you give us a quick reminder of how big a deal he is in the Melbourne underworld?
Well, he's arguably Australia's best-known gangland figure. He's certainly Melbourne's best-known gangland figure. Came to massive attention in the gangland wars.
Melbourne is once again facing the spectre of gangland war with a crime family patriarch shot dead in front of his home. And just hours later, two other men were gunned down. The double fatal shooting happened...
Initially, his friends were getting knocked off left, right and centre. His best mate, Mario Condello, was murdered in an execution outside his house. Graeme Kinneborough, the famous criminal, a.k.a.
What recent events led to Mick Gatto's home being raided?
the Munster, was also shot dead, executed at his house. And there was a period where I think Gatto thought it was coming for him. He was then... confronted, according to Gatto's story, at the back of a restaurant by the most famous gangland hitman Andrew Benji Veneman. There was a scuffle. Gatto grabbed a pistol, which he said Veneman had, and he shot Veneman dead. Gatto was charged with murder, and that became a very, very significant case. But Gatto beat that charge on self-defense grounds.
For a story that's gripped Melbourne, today provided another riveting chapter. Underworld figure Dominic Gatto acquitted of murder. Thank God for the jury system. That's all I can say.
So he's known for the gangland wars and his involvement in those and that of his so-called Carlton crew. But really what he's done for the last 30 years is play his trade as the best known gangland fixer in Victoria's construction sector.
So this week, police raided the home of Mick and his wife, arrested them, then released them without charge. What do we know about what's being investigated?
Well, two years ago, we began writing a series of stories. We're still writing those stories two years later. It was called the Building Bad series. It was about allegations of significant organised crime and corruption in the construction sector across Australia, but especially in Victoria. And as a result of those still ongoing reports, the Victorian government responded. The Victoria Police responded and launched a task force called Task Force Hawk, a specialist task force looking at wrongdoing in the building sector. One of its most obvious targets since its inception, of course, is Mick Gatto because he's a gangland figure in the construction sector doing his wheeling and dealing. He was raided by Task Force Hawk.
What's it all about? Well, I think the paperwork is in relation to, according to the police, allegations of financial crime. Mick Gatto and his lawyer have both said it's to do with speeding tickets or infringement to
The only thing I can say is when they use 20 or 30 police over a speeding fine, this country is in trouble.
But I think we can safely say this is a way of Task Force Hawk actually getting through the front door of Gatto's property. Once you're through the front door, you grab the devices, the phone, the laptop. See what else you can find. And it's an act of great deterrence. It's saying not just to Gatto but to the underworld, we are on your tail. We are looking at you. Now Gatto's response to it is, stop hassling me.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:22
2
Who is Mick Gatto and why is he significant in Melbourne's underworld?
0:22–1:44
3
What recent events led to Mick Gatto's home being raided?
1:44–4:18
4
What allegations are being investigated regarding Mick Gatto?
4:18–11:15
5
How has Mick Gatto influenced the construction industry in Victoria?
11:15–16:36
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from 7am
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