M Group paid to secure work on Big Build projects
Melbourne businessman Tony Paragalli is facing public scrutiny after reports linked his labour hire firm, M Group, to payments made to gangland figure Mick Gatto. Paragalli claims the payments were made to secure work on major construction projects, a practice he now regrets.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding corruption and organized crime influence within the Australian construction and labour hire industries.
Tony Paragalli is the owner of one of Victoria’s leading labour hire firms. Wayne Taylor Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
Share A A A When reports emerged linking his Big Build labour hire business to gangland veteran Mick Gatto, Melbourne businessman Tony Paragalli sought refuge in his safe space: his local footy club.
Paragalli played as a junior and senior at Pascoe Vale, before becoming club president and secretary.
He reckoned people around the club knew who he was and – after the news reports prompted further searing public scrutiny from corruption buster Geoffrey Watson, SC, and a Queensland inquiry about his firm’s financial dealings with Gatto – who he wasn’t.
They knew Paragalli, a father of five who used to work in international shipping and logistics, wasn’t a gangster or a bribe payer.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in