Bob Bottom in now a retired Australian investigative journalist, once owner of Redcliffe's Peninsula Post newspaper.
Single handedly in the 1970's and 1980's, he achieved more than anyone else in bringing New South Wales crime and corruption to the public notice.
Over the years he participated in 18 Royal Commissions and other parliamentary inquiries and played a key role in the establishment of both state and national institutions designed to combat organised crime and corruption.
Then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser consulted him before he established a National Crimes Commission in 1982.
Bob Bottom was a delegate in the 1983 National Crime Summit organised by the Hawke Government. He was on the steering committee for establishing ICAC in New South Wales.
Moving to Queensland, he wrote a report which resulted in the establishment of a Queensland Crime Commission.
In 2002 he worked on the reformation on the NCA into the Australian Crime Commission.
Among several honours bestowed on him were :
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1997.
Honorary Professor of Journalism in 2003.
The Crime Writers Association of Australia Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Bottom’s major books include The Godfather in Australia, Connections 1 and 2, Bugged!, and the autobiographical Without Fear or Favour. Many sold over 100,000 copies and had an enormous impact on public understanding of the subject, forcing governments to act against their will.
Bob Bottom OAM is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post:
Comments