Story perspectives

Victoria Police Arrest Mick Gatto in Building Industry Probe

6/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Victoria Police arrested Mick Gatto and a woman at Mount Martha property during Taskforce Hawk’s operation.
The arrests are part of a probe into alleged financial offences and underworld infiltration of Victoria’s building industry.
Taskforce Hawk was formed after reports highlighted possible corruption in construction.
A Queensland inquiry report alleged Gatto ran an extortion scheme extracting millions from builders, costs borne by taxpayers, while he denies and sues for defamation.

History

Historical Context

Following the 212-recommendation Building Industry Royal Commission (2001-2003), the federal government allocated over $136 million in the 2004-05 budget and created the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which operated from 2005 to 2012. Recent Taskforce Hawk arrests echo the commission’s warning that organised crime continues to infiltrate Australia’s national construction sector.

1 of 2

Story summary

Victoria Police arrested Mick Gatto and a woman at Mount Martha property during Taskforce Hawk’s operation.
The arrests are part of a probe into alleged financial offences and underworld infiltration of Victoria’s building industry.
Taskforce Hawk was formed after reports highlighted possible corruption in construction.
A Queensland inquiry report alleged Gatto ran an extortion scheme extracting millions from builders, costs borne by taxpayers, while he denies and sues for defamation.

1 / 2