Lawyer X barrister Nicola Gobbo on gangland hit list

Barrister Nicola Gobbo claimed she was named on a ‘hit list’ years after she ceased being a ­registered police informer.

Melbourne lawyer Nicola Gobbo. Picture: ABC

Barrister Nicola Gobbo claimed she was named on a “hit list” — along with underworld figures Mick Gatto and Toby Mitchell — years after she ceased being a ­registered police informer, the Lawyer X royal commission has heard.

The commission on Tuesday heard that Ms Gobbo claimed to be named on the list during a call to a police handler in January 2012. Counsel assisting the commission, Chris Winneke QC, questioned the handler, known by the pseudonym Officer Richards, about the phone call, which he had detailed in notes.

Richards confirmed that Ms Gobbo had given some intelligence about the list. “She was on it,” Mr Winneke said.

“Mr Gatto was on it, Mr (John) Higgs was on it, Toby Mitchell was on it and ­another male. They were all on the hit list, correct?”

Richards replied: “Yes, I can see that.”

Mr Winneke said the notes suggested Ms Gobbo “wasn’t overly concerned” about it.

The commission has previously heard she had received death threats. She was deregistered as a police informer in 2009, but the commission has been told she continued providing information for years afterwards — despite then chief commissioner Simon Overland ordering officers to stop accepting intelligence from her in 2010.

Richards was also asked about a diary note he had written about a phone call with his superior, John O’Connor, about the preparation of a report to be given to Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, who was then an assistant commissioner.

“He’s explained the circumstances that a document was to be produced in order to show assistant commissioner Ashton that if the human source is compromised due to the impending court process, that the consequences would be catastrophic,” Mr Winneke said.

“The document (was) to ­include details of all of the persons of interest that (she) dealt with and also statistical evidence of Ms Gobbo’s usage, including source contact reports and information reports.”

Richards said he could not recall the conversation and that it was Mr O’Connor who should be asked what consequences were being referred to.

Three current and former Victorian police commissioners have now given statements to the royal commission into police informers and are expected to appear in person by the end of the year.

The commission on Tuesday confirmed Mr Ashton provided a statement on August 30, ahead of his appearance later this year.

Mr Overland and fellow former commissioner Christine Nixon have also given written statements.