Scales of Justice (miniseries)

Scales of Justice is an Australian crime drama miniseries directed by Michael Jenkins.^[1] It first screened on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1983. It was one of the most controversial Australian mini-series ever produced, examining corruption in all levels of law enforcement.^[2]

Scales of Justice
Written by	Robert Caswell
Directed by	Michael Jenkins
Country of origin	Australia
Original language	English
No. of episodes	3
Production
Producer	Michael Carson
Running time	227 mins
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	20 September (1983-09-20) – 4 October 1983 (1983-10-04)

Scales of Justice is composed of three self-contained, character-linked dramas. Focusing on the world of Australian law enforcement, vice, drugs, politics and widespread corruption, from street level to the corridors of power, the programme was acclaimed for its a near-documentary level of realism. Robert Caswell, the writer of the series, expressed surprise at the criticism it received from police and press.^[3]

It was released on DVD in 2005, with a 227 minutes running time.

Act One — The Job

While investigating a break-in, Probationary Constable Leonard "Spider" Webber witnesses his senior officer stealing merchandise and is torn between loyalty to his team and his own conscience.

Cast

• Simon Burke as Probationary Constable Leonard "Spider" Webber
• John Hargreaves as Constable Borland
• Bill Hunter as Sergeant O'Rourke
• Isabelle Anderson as Constable Callahan

Act Two — The Game

Detective Sergeants Ken Draffin and Mike Miles allow their integrity to be compromised by big-time criminal "Nipper" Jackson.

Cast

• Dennis Miller as Detective Sergeant Ken Draffin
• Tim Robertson as Detective Sergeant Mick Miles
• Tony Barry as Garth "Nipper" Jackson
• Don Reid as Assistant Commissioner Phillip Thompson
• Brian McDermott as Police Minister Ralph Carpenter

Act Three — The Numbers

A young attorney general's actions bring him into conflict with police, senior politicians and major crime bosses.

Cast

• Nick Tate as Glenn Ferris, the State Attorney General
• Richard Meikle as Russell Cooper, the State Premier
• John Meillon as Barry Barnes, the Deputy State Premier
• Kris McQuade as Kate Hardman
• Max Cullen as Arthur Roach
• Frank Wilson as Sir John Ritchie
• Antoinette Byron as Prostitute
• Diane Craig as Meredith

Reception

Upon release the series received backlash as it was thought that the series portrayed the New South Wales Police Department in an unfavourable light. The series highlights the potential for corruption to enter the lower levels of government.^[4]

See also

• List of Australian television series