Mr Big of Bankstown
Subtitle: the scandalous Fitzpatrick and Browne affair
By: Andrew Moore
Contributors: Morgan, Charles A., 1897-1967
Publisher: UWA Publishing
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Crawley, W.A
Language: eng
Number of pages: 251
ISBN-13: 9781742582788
Subjects: Politics and government; Trials (Contempt of legislative bodies); Australia. Parliament; Trials, litigation; Freedom of expression; Australia; Contempt of legislative bodies; Privileges and immunities; History
Description: "When an article printed in a local newspaper in 1955 resulted in the gaoling of rough-hewn Bankstown businessman Ray Fitzpatrick and trouble-making journalist Frank Browne, one of the most extraordinary legal cases in Australia's history unfolded. Mr Big of Bankstown mixes bribery, corruption, violence and power-wrangling, to reveal the Underbelly of 1950s Australia.  Fitzpatrick's penchant for rorting the system and Browne's reputation for fiery verbal attacks got the pair in trouble when they used Fitzpatrick's newspaper to teach MP Charles Morgan a lesson. In an unprecedented use of parliamentary privilege, Fitzpatrick and Browne were imprisoned solely on a vote of the House of Representatives -- without charge, trial or legal representation for making unsubstantiated and erroneous claims.  Amongst the business rivalries and factional politics of post-war Bankstown, the Fitzpatrick and Browne affair pitted the right to free speech against parliamentary privilege."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [239]-247) and index.
Table of contents: title: Preface; title: Introduction; title: TIme and place; title: Man of the people; title: It's only a rort if you are not in it; title: Best mates; title: Enemies; title: Coming unstuck; title: The privilege of case erupts; title: At the Bar of the House; title: Doing time; title: Disgraceful abuse or legitimate use of parliamentary privilege?; title: Sequel; title: Legacy.