Possible link between Al Grassby and the mafia that organised Donald Mackay’s murder is revealed

A possible connection has been discovered between the Italian mafia that organized Australia’s first political assassination and former politician Al Grassby.

A new theory presented at In research claimed Wednesday evening that former Immigration Minister Albert ‘Al’ Jaime Grassby played a role in the 1977 murder of Donald Mackay in Griffith, NSW regional.

The businessman disappeared from a hotel parking lot after drinking with friends one winter night in July.

Police discovered blood on his van the next day, used .22 caliber shell casings and drag marks.

While James Frederick Bazley was convicted and serving time for conspiracy to commit murder, the full details of the baffling plot remain unsolved to this day and Mr. Mackay’s body has never been found.

The panel heard from journalists and former detectives who all pointed to links between Grassby and the Mafia, who had set up a scam in the area that at the time ran the largest marijuana farm in the country.

Mr Mackay was an outspoken anti-drug advocate and ran a large furniture shop in Griffith in the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1969 Mr Mackay was the Liberal Party candidate and ran for election for the federal seat of Riverina with Labour’s Grassby.

During their battle, Mr Mackay repeatedly pointed to clear signs of mafia-driven organized crime and drug trafficking in the area, while Grassby brushed aside Mr Mackay’s concerns with accusations of racism against Italian immigrants.

Grassby went on to win the election and his continued denial of mafia activity in Australia, alongside his anti-racism policies, saw him become the immigration minister.

During his time in the position, he reportedly approved the visa applications of several well-known mafia members from Italy to enter Australia.

The investigative panel described Grassby’s 1969 election victory as the beginning of how “the mob had a mole at the highest level of the federal parliament.”

Mr Mackay, however, was not deterred by his loss and continued to work for the community.

In 1974, Mr. Mackay again ran against Grassby in the federal election.

While Mr Mackay lost, his arguments helped Grassby lose the seat – potentially costing the Mafia their man in Parliament.

In 1975, Mr Mackay anonymously assisted in the raid of Australia’s largest cannabis farm at the time at nearby Coleambally, but subsequent court proceedings are believed to have leaked his name to the mob.

Local reporter Terry Jones said when he heard Mackay’s name had been leaked his reaction was “they just signed his death warrant.”

Donald Mackay (above) was an outspoken anti-drug and crime attorney who ran against Grassby in the 1969 and 1974 elections for the Riverina federal seat

The inquiry alleges that Mr Mackay was killed for helping to relieve Grassby in 1974, costing the Mafia a possible ‘mole’ in Parliament, and helped arrest a cannabis farm (pictured, the crime scene of Mr Mackay’s murder). Mackay in 1977)

His death is often referred to as Australia’s first political assassination.

The NSW Police are still offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of Mr Mackay’s remains.

Bazley, who was long believed to be the trigger man, died in 2018 with tight lips about what really happened.

He and six other men were identified by a Royal Commission for possibly ordering Mr Mackay’s death, but no one else was charged.

Former Detective Jim Slade of the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence said the murder was apparently orchestrated by the same mob that Grassby was linked to.

“The decision was made because of the loss of money and everything for the family that (Mr Mackay) had to get rid of,” he said.

A series of articles by the Herald Sun in 2005 revealed that Grassby had been paid $40,000 by known Mafia associates to spread gossip that Mr. Mackay’s wife, son, and lawyer killed him.

“The Grassby thing, he’s been bribed to do certain jobs. Grassby was in the clique, in the clan – as you would call it – the mafia,” said investigative journalist Kate McClymont of the Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite his possible ties to the Italo-Australian Mafia, Grassby (above) is remembered as a campaigner for equality and immigrant rights in Australia

However, despite Grassby’s questionable ties, he is remembered as a champion of equality and immigrant rights in Australia.

“Al Grassby was probably one of the most corrupt politicians,” Ms McClymont said.

“His history of taking money from the mafia, of being a paid operator on their behalf, was completely whitewashed.”

Slade said Mackay’s death would also have sent a message to other drug and crime control advocates in the area.

“The reason they do that is to show that no one is above the power and reach of the (mafia),” he said.