Politics / Australia
Australia politics page with daily media monitoring across ABC News Australia, SBS News and SMH/The Age, structured summaries of domestic political developments and a country-level press overview.
The real story of Melbourne’s gangland war
Summary
John Silvester, a reporter, discusses his involvement in the Channel Nine documentary, Naked City: Hitmen, which explores Melbourne's gangland war. He engaged 15 experts, with 14 agreeing to share insights, focusing on the lesser-known aspects of the crime narrative. Stuart Bateson, a member of the Purana Taskforce, reflects on his extensive experience investigating gangland murders, particularly the case of Mad Richard Millett.
Carl Williams, initially underestimated by law enforcement, escalated violence following Millett's murder. His actions led to a series of retaliatory killings, including the murder of Mark Moran, which prompted a significant investigation by the homicide squad. The task force, formed to address the growing violence, expanded its resources significantly after the shocking murders of Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro.
Christine Nixon, the chief commissioner at the time, emphasized the urgent need to combat escalating gang violence, resulting in a recruitment drive for Task Force Purana. The task force grew to 55 detectives and analysts, supported by covert police, to tackle the ongoing underworld killings amidst challenges in gathering accurate intelligence.
The murder of Mick Marshall, witnessed by his family, underscored the tragic impact of gang violence. Significant arrests were made in Operation Purana, revealing complex dynamics between the driver and hitman involved in the crime. The investigation faced moral dilemmas, particularly regarding the use of known criminals as crown witnesses.
Perspectives
Analysis of Melbourne's gangland war and its implications.
Law Enforcement Perspective
- Highlights the challenges faced by police in investigating gangland murders
- Emphasizes the need for significant resources to combat escalating violence
- Describes the moral dilemmas of using unreliable informants in investigations
- Details the impact of gang violence on innocent families
- Discusses the complexities of witness cooperation in securing convictions
Criminal Perspective
- Describes Carl Williams underestimation by law enforcement
- Explains the violent retaliatory actions taken by gang members
- Illustrates the dangers of cooperating with law enforcement
- Depicts the personal stakes involved in gangland rivalries
- Reveals the consequences of betrayal within the criminal underworld
Neutral / Shared
- Notes the significant historical context of Melbournes gangland wars
- Acknowledges the role of media in shaping public perception of crime
- Mentions the emotional toll on law enforcement personnel involved in investigations
Metrics
reward
$1 million USD
reward for information on Richard Millett's murder
This significant reward highlights the ongoing interest and urgency in solving the case.
$1 million reward for information that is still on the ground.
years_investigated
over 20 years
duration of Stuart Bateson's involvement in gangland investigations
This long duration indicates the complexity and persistence of gang-related issues in Melbourne.
it's well over 20 years ago.
murder
several murders
convictions against Carl Williams
This indicates the severity of his criminal activities.
he finally was convicted of several murders
murder
Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro were killed
turning point in the gangland war
Their deaths shocked the community and escalated police response.
Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro were killed in front of those kids
size
55 detectives and analysts units
the number of personnel in Task Force Purana
A larger task force can enhance investigative capabilities.
we grew to a size of 55 detectives analysts
support
hundreds of police working at covert capacity units
the number of covert police supporting the task force
Covert support is crucial for effective surveillance and intelligence gathering.
supported by hundreds of police working at covert capacity
time
three or four years
the time since the last known address of Jason Moran
Outdated information can hinder timely investigations.
an address that I knew we hadn't lived that for at least three or four years
murders
five shots that are fired into Michael Marshall's head shots
the number of shots fired during the murder of Michael Marshall
The brutality of the crime underscores the severity of gang violence.
you hear the five shots that are fired into Michael Marshall's head
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
John Silvester discusses his role in the Channel Nine documentary, Naked City: Hitmen, where he engaged 15 experts, with 14 agreeing to contribute insights on Melbourne's gangland war. Stuart Bateson, a member of the Purana Taskforce, reflects on his long involvement in gangland investigations, particularly the murder of Mad Richard Millett and its connection to Carl Williams.
- John Silvester, known as Sly of the Underworld, discusses his involvement in the new Channel Nine documentary, Naked City: Hitmen
- He reached out to 15 experts in law and police. Fourteen agreed to share their insights on Melbournes gangland war
- Producers Michael Venables and Graham Watson took a unique approach. They avoided the usual suspects and focused on lesser-known perspectives
- Stuart Bateson, a member of the Purana Taskforce, reflects on his long involvement in gangland investigations that began in 1999
- Bateson recounts the murder of Mad Richard Millett. He emphasizes the ongoing investigation and the $1 million reward for information
- He connects Milletts murder to Carl Williams. Bateson suggests that Williams ordered the hit due to a financial dispute over drug trafficking
05:00–10:00
Carl Williams was initially underestimated by law enforcement, appearing unremarkable when first encountered in 1999. His violent actions following the murder of Mad Richard Millett marked a significant escalation in Melbourne's gangland war.
- Carl Williams was initially underestimated by law enforcement. When he was first encountered in 1999, he did not seem particularly impressive or aggressive
- After the shooting of Mad Richard Millett, Carl Williams sought revenge against the Moran family. He was determined to kill all the Morans, starting with Mark Moran
- Mark Moran was killed outside his home, and early investigations pointed to Carl Williams as a suspect. However, the Moran family did not believe he was capable of the murder
- Phil Swindell, a senior sergeant in the homicide squad, identified connections between several murders. His report led to the formation of the Purana task force to investigate these linked cases
- The murder of Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro marked a turning point in the gangland war. Their deaths, witnessed by children, shocked the community and prompted a significant police response
- Melbourne has a history of underworld wars, with various factions clashing over territory and power. Despite police efforts, these violent conflicts have persisted over the years
10:00–15:00
Christine Nixon highlighted the urgent need to address escalating violence in Melbourne's gangland, prompting a significant recruitment drive for Task Force Purana. The task force expanded to 55 detectives and analysts, supported by hundreds of covert police, to investigate underworld killings amidst challenges in gathering accurate intelligence.
- Christine Nixon, the Chief Commissioner at the time, emphasized the urgency to stop the escalating violence in Melbournes gangland. This led to a significant recruitment drive for the task force
- Task Force Purana was established to investigate underworld killings. It quickly expanded to include 55 detectives and analysts, with crucial support from hundreds of police working covertly
- Initially, there was little intelligence on the gang members, which posed a challenge for the detectives. They relied on open-source information, including newspapers, to build their understanding of the situation
- The task force faced difficulties in gathering accurate information about Jason Moran. The profile they received was outdated, highlighting the need for time to catch up with rapidly evolving gang dynamics
- A breakthrough occurred with the murder of Michael Marshall, linked to a web of electronic surveillance. The task force had managed to place a listening device in a clean car used by the suspects
- On the day of the murder, the suspects discovered the listening device but still proceeded with their plan. The chilling audio captured the moment they identified Marshall and executed him in front of his young son
15:00–20:00
The murder of Mick Marshall, witnessed by his wife and young son, highlights the tragic impact of gangland violence on families. Detectives made significant arrests in Operation Purana, revealing the complex dynamics between the driver and the hitman in the crime.
- The murder of Mick Marshall was particularly shocking. It occurred in front of his wife and five-year-old son, who witnessed the event
- The young boy expressed his desire to help his father. However, he was unable to cross the road without holding his fathers hand, highlighting the tragic impact of the crime
- Detectives arrested two men believed to be responsible for the murder. This marked a significant breakthrough in Operation Purana, which aimed to address gangland violence
- Audio evidence revealed that the driver of the getaway car played a crucial role in the murder. This contradicted the common perception that the hitman was the primary actor
- The driver, a known rapist, ultimately became a crown witness. This protected his identity and allowed him to provide crucial testimony against a notorious figure
- The investigation involved covert recordings. One recording showed the driver appearing evasive, indicating a complex relationship between law enforcement and criminals
20:00–25:00
Supreme Court Justice Paul Cogman played a pivotal role in negotiating witness deals, which deviated from standard policy regarding murderers. The murder of Graham Kennerbra intensified personal stakes for Mick Gatto, leading to escalating violence in Melbourne's gangland.
- Supreme Court Justice Paul Cogman played a crucial role in negotiating deals for key witnesses. This was a significant departure from standard policy regarding murderers
- Justice Cogmans courage in making these deals was essential for the ongoing investigation into Carl Williams and the gangland murders in Melbourne
- The need for witnesses in court often conflicted with the desire to punish those who committed horrific crimes. This created a complex legal landscape
- Graham Kennerbra, a respected criminal, was warned about threats to his life due to his association with Carl Williams and the Miranda crew
- Despite the warnings, Kennerbra was ultimately murdered in December 2003. This intensified the personal stakes for Mick Gatto, a close associate
- Mick Gatto sought answers regarding Kennerbras murder. He suspected Carl Williams and Andrew Venom were involved, but both denied any involvement
25:00–30:00
Mick Gatto was acquitted of murder charges after claiming self-defense in a shooting incident involving Andrew Venom. The case highlighted the complexities of gangland violence and the judicial process surrounding it.
- Carl Williams sought advice on whether to target Mick Gatto but was advised against it. Instead, a senior official suggested that Gatto should be dealt with
- A confrontation occurred between Mick Gatto and a senior official, leading to a dispute in a dead-end corridor. Shots were fired, resulting in the officials death
- Mick Gatto maintained that he acted in self-defense during the incident. He was later charged but ultimately acquitted of the murder
- During the police interview following the shooting, Gatto remained calm and collected. He was aware of the potential charges he faced after the incident
- The jury found reasonable doubt regarding Gattos self-defense claim, leading to his acquittal. The case highlighted the violent history of the official involved
- The aftermath of Gattos trial saw a reunion of families outside the Supreme Court, celebrating his acquittal. The case underscored the complexities of the gangland war