FRANK Costigan, QC, made many more friends than enemies, but his enemies were exceptional.
In four years as a royal commissioner he managed to enrage waterside thugs to the point where two police bunked at his flat.
And he infuriated Kerry Packer so greatly the billionaire's memorial service became the vehicle for a beyond-the-grave swipe.
But friends had the final say last night on a gentle lawyer of unshakeable principle.
Premier John Brumby hailed Mr Costigan, 78, as an eminent lawyer and an active campaigner for social justice.
"He will be remembered for intellect, integrity and for his fearless commitment to exposing corruption and crime," Mr Brumby said.
Former premier John Cain declared Mr Costigan a life-long and trusted friend.
"He was a great bloke . . . quiet and strong," he said.
Law Institute chief executive Michael Brett Young said Mr Costigan was "thorough and fearless".
And Victorian Bar Council chairman John Digby, QC, said he was "very self-effacing but very charming, good-natured, warm and humble".
Family spokesman Gerry Costigan said his Uncle Frank was a funny, private man who had managed to work until about six months ago.
Mr Costigan died peacefully yesterday morning surrounded by his children.
Born in Depression-era Preston of Irish Catholic parents, Mr Costigan was one of eight children.
First schooled by Jesuits, and then at Melbourne University, he became a solicitor in 1953, a barrister in 1957 and a Queen's Counsel in 1973.
As a young lawyer, Mr Costigan became active in the ALP, standing for the unwinnable seat of Chisholm.
Mr Cain said he was a political ally in Labor's dark time following the DLP split, and remained a good friend for life.
Ironically, it was a Liberal Party appointment that put Mr Costigan in the spotlight.
In 1980 prime minister Malcolm Fraser asked him to head the Royal Commission on the Activities of the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union.
It became known as the Costigan Royal Commission and after four years had uncovered a tangle of dodgy tax evasion schemes.
When the pin was pulled on the commission in 1984 by prime minister Bob Hawke, files were passed to the fledgling National Crime Authority.
One case study linked Mr Packer to organised crime including tax evasion, drugs, murder, fraud and pornography. Mr Costigan's team called Mr Packer "The Squirrel". Media chose the moniker Goanna. It stuck.
Mr Packer outed himself as the Goanna, but denied the allegations. Labor Attorney-General Lionel Bowen spoke in Parliament, effectively clearing the mogul.
Mr Costigan's star dimmed, though the royal commission is still seen as a landmark blow against organised crime.
"Some might think that to go in hard as he did was a bad career move, but that was the measure of the man," Mr Cain said last night.
Mr Costigan continued legal and community work, and was a familiar figure in Melbourne's legal precinct.
He chaired the Bar Council and worked with Jesuit Social Services for 21 years until last October.
Its chief executive, Julie Edwards, said Mr Costigan had great insight, great intellect and great compassion".
"And he had a wicked sense of humour, just a bit of a glint in the eye, an Irish leprechaun kind of thing. It was a pretty wonderful mix."
Frank Costigan QC dies | Herald Sun
Any man who goes after even Packer has my vote.
- Board index Regional Australia
- Search
-
- It is currently Sat Apr 27, 2024 7:54 pm
- All times are UTC-07:00
Royal commisioner Frank Costigan dies.
A forum to discuss local issues in Australia.
-
- Posts: 6596
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:35 pm
Jump to
- Official Forumgarden Area
- ↳ News and Announcements
- ↳ Request A New Forum Here
- ↳ Problems, Solutions Feedback
- ↳ Threads containing hotlinks
- ↳ Test Forum
- Relaxing in the Garden
- ↳ Introductions
- ↳ Member Map Link
- ↳ Photos
- ↳ Member Map Discussion
- ↳ Members' News
- ↳ ForumGarden Hotel
- ↳ General Chit Chat
- ↳ Friends, Relationships, Advice
- ↳ Mental Health
- ↳ Travel Vacation
- ↳ FG Game Shows
- ↳ The Dating Game
- ↳ Commentary
- ↳ FG's Got Talent!
- ↳ Mystery Gardener!
- ↳ Weather Station
- ↳ Welcome To My Day!
- ↳ Pub Nutters Inn
- ↳ The Coffee Shop
- ↳ Holidays
- ↳ Just For The Fun Of It
- ↳ Arcade Discussions
- ↳ Word Games
- ↳ This Deserves A Caption
- ↳ Links to the Fascinating
- ↳ Explain Your Avatar!
- ↳ Did You Know?
- ↳ Show Us Your Computer Station
- ↳ Skewed News Humor
- TV Movie Chatter
- ↳ General TV Shows
- ↳ Soap Operas
- ↳ Films Cinema Forum
- Music Forums
- ↳ General Music
- ↳ New Releases
- ↳ Song Lyrics
- ↳ Favorite Music Videos
- My Favorite Videos
- ↳ Arts Animation
- ↳ Autos Vehicles
- ↳ Comedy
- ↳ Music
- ↳ People
- ↳ Pets Animals
- ↳ Science Technology Videos
- ↳ Sports
- ↳ Travel Places
- ↳ Video Games
- Personal Forums
- ↳ Fitness Nutrition
- ↳ Wall Street to Main Street
- ↳ Health Wellness
- ↳ Diabetes
- ↳ Men's Health
- ↳ Women's Health
- ↳ Healthcare
- ↳ Work Employment
- ↳ Fashion Clothing
- ↳ Home Management
- ↳ Kids Family
- ↳ Physically Challenged
- Support and Counseling
- ↳ Recovery Forum
- ↳ Bereaved People
- ↳ Bereaved Parents
- General Forums
- ↳ Current Events
- ↳ History
- ↳ Bizarre News Stories
- ↳ Conspiracy Theories
- ↳ Conservation The Environment
- ↳ Polls, Polls, and more Polls
- ↳ Philosophy
- ↳ Wide World of Sports
- ↳ Societal Issues News
- Crimes, Trials, Justice
- ↳ Crimes Trials
- ↳ Missing Children
- ↳ Missing Adults
- ↳ Amber Alert Forum
- Shop 'Til You Drop
- ↳ Hot Deals Freebies
- Dogs, Cats, All Things Pet Related
- ↳ The Pets In Our Lives
- ↳ Pet Advice Support
- ↳ Choosing a Pet
- ↳ Training Your Pet
- ↳ Pet Behavior
- ↳ Your Pet's Diet
- Farming
- ↳ Pastoral
- ↳ Hydroponic
- ↳ Arable
- Autos, Motorcycles, Anything With Wheels
- ↳ Cycling and Cyclists
- ↳ Biker Forum
- ↳ General Chit Chat
- ↳ Auto Racing
- Radio Forums
- ↳ General Radio
- ↳ Amateur Radio
- ↳ Shortwave Listening
- ↳ Collecting and Refurbishing
- ↳ Radio Tech: HD Radio, Satellite, SDR, Packet
- Politics
- ↳ Current Political Events
- ↳ Immigration
- ↳ Abortion
- ↳ Gun Control
- ↳ Drugs, Alcohol Tobacco
- ↳ Health Care
- ↳ Warfare Military
- ↳ Presidential Elections Campaigns
- ↳ Social Human Rights
- ↳ International Politics
- ↳ Political Humor Satire
- Arts Entertainment
- ↳ The Time Capsule
- ↳ Time Capsule Photo Gallery
- ↳ The Nifty 1950's
- ↳ The Psychedelic 1960's
- ↳ The Super 70's
- ↳ The Awesome 80's
- ↳ The 1990's.
- ↳ Our Current Decade
- ↳ The Television Forum
- ↳ The Library
- ↳ Talk About Comedy
- ↳ The Gaming Zone - PC Console
- ↳ Flash Games
- ↳ Web Design Art Forum
- ↳ Poetry Writing Forum
- Religions Beliefs
- ↳ General Religious Discussions
- ↳ Christianity
- ↳ Modern Ancient Paths
- ↳ Body, Mind, Soul
- ↳ Magic Mystery
- ↳ Ancient Wisdom
- ↳ Islam
- ↳ Judaism
- ↳ Eastern Religions
- ↳ Godlessness
- ↳ Prophecies and Prophets
- Science Technology
- ↳ Science
- ↳ Paranormal Science
- ↳ Space and Astronomy
- ↳ Earth Changes
- ↳ The Internet
- ↳ Computers Internet
- ↳ Electronic Gadgets Galore
- ↳ Home and Car Audio
- Hobbies - Special Interest Forums
- ↳ The Outdoors
- ↳ Gardening Forum
- ↳ Garden Galleries
- ↳ Photography More
- ↳ Geo Photo Blogging
- ↳ Needlecrafts
- ↳ The Kitchen
- ↳ Arts Crafts
- Senior Forums
- ↳ Retirement Planning
- ↳ Retirement Activities
- ↳ Health and Drug Concerns
- ↳ Senior Share
- Regional
- ↳ United States
- ↳ New England / Mid Atlantic
- ↳ South East
- ↳ Mid West
- ↳ Mountain West
- ↳ South West
- ↳ Pacific West
- ↳ Australia
- ↳ Canada
- ↳ United Kingdom
- ↳ England
- ↳ Scotland
- ↳ Wales
- ↳ Northern Ireland
- ↳ Ireland
- ↳ Other Regions
- Westcliff Rules Debating Area
- ↳ Watch
- ↳ Discuss
- ↳ Propose
- ForumGarden Blogs
- ↳ Recent Blog Postings