The Great Mint Swindle

This movie exposes the corruption rife in the Western Australian Police Force using coerced, fabricated and manipulated evidence. Not only the three Mickleberg brothers, but others have suffered at their hands such as Andrew Mallard, John Button, Darryl Beamish and Lloyd Rayney, all of whom have been exonerated or acquitted.

The complex plot, involving the audacious theft of a large quantity of gold from the State Mint, seems like Hollywood on steroids and yet the twists and turns are simply and accurately developed.

The strong family bond among the three Mickleberg brothers is beautifully portrayed by Grant Bowler, Todd Lasance & Josh Quong Tart. They contrast with the ruthless detective, Don Hancock, played perfectly by Shane Bourne, from smarmy to brutal, and whose end is well deserved.

I have reason to be grateful to the dedicated men and women of the WA Police Force but one can't help wondering whether the culture of corruption has been adequately addressed. In recent years, one of the lawyers who helped put the Micklebergs behind bars rose to become the State Attorney-General