PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: PM No. 124 1973
ACCESS TO COMMONWEALTH ARCHIVES
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Commonwealth records that are 30 years old or more will, as
from 1 January 1971, be available for scrutiny by the public. This policy
will replace the " 50 year access rule" that has operated ir-the past.
The 50 year rule was varied in 1966 to accelerate the release
of World War I records. Currently, records originating prior to 1923
are available publicly and records originating between then and 1939
may be made available for preparation of important wvorks of scholarship.
To facilitate study of the World War 11 period, the Government
will also, as from 1 January 1971, allow accelerated release of records
originating between I January 1941 and 31 December 1945 where they
aze required for preparation of important works of scholarship.
Some categories of records are regarded as not available for
public access under current rules and will still be restricted under the
new rules. Personal papers,, such as those relating to pensions, will not
be released; nor will there be any release of taxation or census returns.
Access to records relating to Australia's national security or affecting
the Commonwealth's legal interests may also be restricted. Specific
approvals will be required for release of Cabinet records.
Custody of Commonwealth records and control over access
to them is the responsibility of the Commonwealth Archives Office, which
has headquarters in Canberra and branch offices in the mainland State
capitals. In Canberra, the Off ice occupies temporary buildings adjacent
to Kings. Avenue Bridge. The Government has decided in principle to erect
a new National Archives building in Canberra which will be the headquarters
of the Commonwealth Archives Office and to which important Commonwealth
records will be transfet red for preservation, public study and display.
The design and siting of the building will be a matter for subsequent
consideration. CANBERRA December 1970