This could entirely be fake PR BUT....

I think it is foolish to think only poorer countries have organized crime. I am not as familiar with Australia but organized crime runs rampant in both the US and EU. It might just not be what you are expecting. Most developed regions of the world still have very strong organized crime outfits that run drugs, gambling and other illicit activities. It is just not obvious to the outside world. Even in the San Francisco Bay Area, massive triad organizations and businesses that most tech workers don't notice.

From an EU angle I am thinking about Christy Kinahan family. Massive drug network for the EU region. Currently has a $5million reward for information, his son has the same.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy_Kinahan

Edit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinahan_Organised_Crime_Group - estimated wealth of up to a 1billion Euros. Just an estimate but I think it puts the bracket of profit for these kinds of groups. This surely exists within Australia and perhaps even more so with its close ties to Asia.

> There are some wannabes but this whole article reeks of "look at me, I am fighting crime in my spare time" nonsense.

Actually, Jordan Shanks has a long and very public track record of speaking truth to power, is a strong advocate for and proponent of quality investigative journalism. He was instrumental in the former extremely corrupt NSW (his local state) leadership resigning.

> Australia is not third world country where "organized crime" runs rampant.

Australia has a long history of organized crime: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organised_crime_in_Australia

Let's not forget the modern state of Australia originated from penal colonies shipped from the UK.... Bound to be a few bad apples in there, doncha know ;)

The police literally have video of the organized crime family members firebombing this guy's house. One of them was stupid enough to use their own vehicle and it's all on CCTV.

The property development company is openly run by the family and hired the deputy premier (Barilaro) to work for them...

Why wouldn't this look like obvious corruption to you?

Someone burnt down his house... I think organized crime is certainly not hogwash.

Organized crime happens in all countries my friend. From Italy to the USA, Canada, Mexico, UK, Australia, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, everyone has some organized crime. If you deny your country has organized crime, they have gotten really good at bribing and hiding it.

I recommend watching the videos of friendlyjordies, he's been at it for years, pointing out the hypocrisies, corruption etc, he's certainly opinionated but he does come at it from a comedians perspective also.

He rubbed some people the wrong way in the political world and things escalated wildly. You're right about Australia not being a third world country, but that proves his point about how ridiculous the behavior of some politicians is.

> Australia is not third world country where "organized crime" runs rampant.

What do you mean? We have the meth wars in Melbourne back in the early 2000s between two literal organized crime syndicates, the St Kilda police station raid where the police were found to be hoarding guns and drugs in the ceiling. That's just off the top of my head. I haven't lived in Melbourne since 2008 but I imagine there's more that's happened since.