Sources and Reference

There are a number of authors that are, simply put, indespensible in regards to developing a
comprehensive grasp of Australian OC. This list of authors will almost definitely expand over time.

First and foremost, that iconic writer/journalist Bob Bottom, that indefatigable opponent of criminals and corruption, target of a number of a number of death treats from a number of different elements over the years. The subject of a noted Archibald prize subnission, Mr Bottom has over decades published a prolific body of work which can serve as a reference point for organised crime in Australia from 1920 to 1980.

When Chris Masters presented his "Moonlight State" report to the ABC which was subsequently broadcast across the nation, the seedy underbelly of Queensland's police force was exposed across the nation and overnight the populace was outraged. Focusing on police protection of the sex industry which raised alarming implications, the ensuing storm that was the Fitzgerald Inquiry thankfully stunted OC in Queensland for many years to come.

As notorious as Joh Bjelke Peterson's reign is/was, his antics barely compare to those of Sir Robert "Bob" Askin, the "rustiest of rusty knights". Between he and his corrupt staff and police chief, a generation a gangsterism in Sydney and NSW was enabled into success. Similar in a way to "Prohibition", or the Volstead act which led to a generation of gangsters being able to build a fortune off a racket percieved as 'harmles'; Askin's administration gave a criminal cabal the opportunity to proliferate finacially and establish a quasi-legitimate through gambling and a system of copious kickbacks. To say nothing of an unfriendly relationship between NSW and Victorian police forces, the closed off nature of South Australia and a percieved utter irrelevence of the West engendered a criminal culture which would result in ingrained corruption and a blight that is still being felt today.

At the crest of these waves of revelation were journalists/reporters/writers such as Evan Whitton, Quentin Dempster and Tony Reeves (again, great reference points but in no way representative of the wealth of Australian writing talent and researchers). Following the mould, Keith Moor and Geoff Wilkinson, known for their work in the "Mugshots" series, amongst other work, are astutely knowledgable and informed in regards the subject matter.

Of course, any list on Aussie mob lit and true crime would be the work of Andrew Rule and John Sylvester, and their epic "Underbelly" series, which after a decade or so would eventually pan out into the stellar 'Underbelly' television series, an endeavour which set new standards in cinematic quality.