Latest news with #TonyMokbel
The Age
6 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Dorinda's digital detox
The realtor involved in the sale remained tight-lipped about the whole situation. But a little birdie reminded us that it's a difficult market out there. And that sales like these often come down to only one or two serious buyers. Loading When you put it like that, this is a pretty good outcome. Plus, we think the transaction should be classed as a win for someone who didn't technically exist in the land titles registry for a while and therefore couldn't sell any property, thanks to the power of an unprecedented special police order. CBD enquired whether newly freed drug kingpin Tony Mokbel, another of Gobbo's former clients, had expressed any interest in the property. No? Maybe he's been too busy sticking to his curfew and shopping at Northland's Myer. Instead, our source said of the buyer: 'It's just everyday mums and dads. It's normal people. There's no story … [it's] no one of any note.' What a shame. And for those who were worried that Lawyer X might be left out in the cold, never fear. She still maintains a respectable portfolio of properties across Melbourne's south-east. Any of them would provide an ample place to reside. That is – if she ever manages to emerge from hiding. Butt out, Parliament House CBD brought word last year that the Department of Parliamentary Services was planning to review the Big House's smoking policy, and we were told at the time that the shift was a response to the introduction of automatic doors near parliamentary chambers. The latest draft was dropped last week, and the new policy greatly reduced the number of designated smoking areas in the parliamentary courtyard. If approved, they'll bring the federal parliament's restrictions broadly in line with new rules in countries like France and Spain. The department told us consultation on the changes was closing on Tuesday. 'Any changes will be balanced with work health and safety obligations for all people who work and visit Australian Parliament House,' they said. But we also hear that a major driver of the new policy is Senate President Sue Lines, who takes a far dimmer view of smoking than one of her recent predecessors, Liberal Scott Ryan. He used to be seen sparking up in the Senate president's courtyard. That said, Lines is probably on the right side of history. Lung lollies are practically extinct in parliament, where anyone under 35 has switched to the also restricted vapes (despite Health Minister Mark Butler 's best efforts to ban a product available at every convenience store in the country). And practically no pollie will even admit to being partial to a dart any more. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he's never smoked. Ever. Notable exception – firebrand independent senator Lidia Thorpe. Ex-NSW premier Dom Perrottet used to admit to a sneaky vape. Others known to have indulged include Labor's Karen Grogan and Jo Ryan. CBD would often get a heady aroma outside the Nationals party room. And former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce was certainly partial, although the big fella is now on a health kick, quitting booze after being found sprawled on a Canberra pavement and having recently undergone surgery for prostate cancer. Loading
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Gangland boss spotted after release
Infamous organised crime figure Tony Mokbel has been spotted on his first day of freedom for two decades, out and about in suburban Melbourne. Mokbel, 59, was sensationally bailed by the Court of Appeal on Friday, as an impending appeal over his convictions, tainted by his police informant lawyer, draws closer. After 18 years behind bars, the courts have found Mokbel's appeal has a reasonable chance of success. His sister has put up a $1m surety on Mokbel adhering to 30 bail conditions. On Saturday morning, Mokbel was spotted going for a walk with family, and then hopping in a vehicle destined for the police station a few hours later. 'You know I have proceedings on foot, and I can't talk to anyone, so thank you,' he told reporters who had staked out his sister's house. 'That's the instruction from all my lawyers.' More than a dozen members of the media were on hand at first light as Mokbel emerged from the house and went for a walk. A few hours later, he got into a black Volkswagen Golf and went to the Heidelberg Police Station to make his daily check in, driven by a younger female. After a year on the run in Greece and then 18 years in prison, on Friday Mokbel spent time with his children and saw his mother's grave for the first time. On Saturday, a 75 inch TV and flatpack furniture were delivered to his sister's house. The notorious figure has made no attempt to dodge the media upon release, with no decoy cars or disguises used. The typically dapper figure has been dressed in black gym gear. Mokbel, is fighting to overturn his convictions in the wake of the Lawyer-X scandal which saw his longtime legal confidant, Nicola Gobbo, unmasked as a police informer in 2019. Mokbel was a central figure in Melbourne's gangland wars of the 1990s and 2000s, and after being arrested in Greece, pleaded guilty to a host of drugs charges. But the actions of Victoria Police and Ms Gobbo have either nullified or cast serious doubt on the convictions of multiple men, and Mokbel's appeal case is 'very strong', one of the Court of Appeal justices said on Friday.
The Guardian
03-04-2025
- The Guardian
Tony Mokbel freed on bail by Victorian court after ‘Lawyer X' scandal
Organised crime figure Tony Mokbel will be released on bail as a consequence of the 'joint criminal enterprise' Victorian police entered with Lawyer X, Nicola Gobbo, a court has found. The Victorian court of appeal ruled on Friday that Mokbel should be released, and that there was a 'very strong chance' his remaining convictions would be quashed. He was bailed pending an appeal of those convictions. More details to come.
