White Noise

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

As an elite operative, Michael Kennedys duty was to disrupt the drug trade. It also pitched him against rampant corruption. He blew the whistle only to be accused of inspiring a witch hunt against Australias top federal police agents.

Falsely, they blamed a breakdown triggered by Kennedys abusive childhood for him blindly lashing out at an unjust world. Charged with incitement, his humiliation was brutal. The wrong-doing Kennedy reported was seismic: millions in stolen narcotics, heroin imported with inside help, rip-offs, pay-offs, police drug use, a murder unsolved, a suspicious death dismissed as suicide. All was ignored and Kennedy targeted in a massive surveillance sting.

Abandoned by his key witness, he took a plea deal to avoid jail but his punishment included forced psychiatric treatment to ensure no one would again take him seriously. Kennedy moved on but the Wood royal commission intoNSW police corruption (1994-97) brought everything roaring back. Many of the feds hed accused were unexpectedly exposed including the operative whod facilitated his takedown. Bizarrely, Woods chief investigator was also the former AFP commander whod done more to silence Kennedy than anyone.

Despite such injustice, Kennedy is still denied a voice.White Noise traces his demise from Sydneys roiling underbelly to the backblocks of Darwin. It examines his involvement in investigating the shooting of undercover cop Michael Drury, the Milperra bikie massacre, the exploits of Roger Rogerson and the dark corners of Sydneys heroin trade. It also celebrates his reincarnation as a successful policing academic.

Author Bio

John Kidman has been a journalist for 25 years. Leaving country radio in 1994, he joined Australian Associated Press in Sydney. Promoted to police reporter, he was soon writing about the countrys biggest crimes. At the 2000 Olympics, he covered security and moonlighted as a water polo correspondent during the Australia women's gold medal run. In 2001, Kidman moved to the Sun-Herald where his exclusive on a gang rape outbreak was shortlisted for the Walkley Awards. In 2003, he uncovered malpractice linked to the deaths of 17 hospital patients and in 2008, a corrupt relationship between NSW Crime Commission boss Mark Standen and drug importer, rapist and suspected killer Neville Tween. Kidman returned to AAP in 2012 and authored Forever Nine about missing school girl Samantha Knight, which made the Ned Kelly Awards shortlist. He now works as National Chief of Staff for AAP and is married with four children.