. JJAUSTRALIA&. A AA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA TUESDAY, 19 AUGUST 1980
OFFICE OF NATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
Mr Speaker In relation to allegations of security breaches
in the Office of National Assessments, the Director-General of
ONA, Mr Furlonger, asked the Director-General of Security,
Mr Justice Woodward, to review security practices in ONA and
report. Subsequently there were further allegations of deliberate
security breaches and the Director-General of Security was asked
to investigate these also.
Mr Justice Woodward has now reported on these: matters and
I have examined his findings.
The report, as would be expected, deals with a number of
matters of high security content and, in accordance with normal
practice in the Parliament and elsewhere, I do not propose to
make the report public. I shall make it available to the Leader
of the Opposition if he so wishes. However, in view of the
public and parliamentary interest the matter has attracted,
I think I should indicate now in general terms what have been
Mr Justice Woodward's findings.
Mr Justice Woodward's report finds that there is no credible
evidence of any ONA document having got into the wrong hands, nor
of the improper use of classified information by any ONA officer, / 2
2.
nor of any serious breach* of security by any ONA officer.-, And*
therefore no reason, arising from the ASIO inquiry, to conclude
that ONA is not'a basically secure organisation.
On the particular question, which attracted much public
attention, of a missing security document, Mr Justice Woodward
has reported that his investigation has established beyond
reasonable doubt that the missing document was destroyed in ONA
by an officer whose duty it was to dispose of unwanted papers
and who in this instance had no reason to doubt that he was doing
so lecqitimately. Before that happened, however, there was
mishandling of the paper, about which the ASIO report is properly
critical. The report nevertheless makes a number of recommendations.
for improvements in security procedures in ONA, and confirms other
security measures already taken by the Director-General ONA. It
observes that its recommendations should not be regarded as
implying any culpable weakness in ONA's former practices.
As. I have said, Mr Justice Woodward's report is available
to the Leader of the Opposition if he so wishes.
The Director-General of ONA, Mr Furlonger, has reported to
me that he has taken, and is taking, action to implement the
recommendations made in the ASIO report. It is of course essential
that this be done. The Government attaches the highest significance
to the work of ONA, and obviously its security is an essential part
of its continuing overall effectiveness in contributing to the bases
on which Australia's external policies in the political, strategic
and economic fields are formulated.
The ASIO report also provides the occasion to express arnd
underline the Government's concern that there should be strict
application of security procedures and practices in all
Commonwealth organisations. Steps are being taken, as it is
deemed appropriate, to improve such procedures and practices and
to ensure that the requirements are strictly observed.
More recently there have been assertions in the media that
in some way the Director-General of Security was pressed to change
some of the ASIO findings about ONA practices, and in some way to
water down the strength of his conclusions.
I am informed by Mr Justice Woodward, in respect of this
report, that it is false in every specific point made and in its
implications. Mr Justice Woodward has written to me stating that
he took all the significant decisions about the two parts of the
report himself; that at no time did he decide that any of the
contents were too damning to be given to me, as alleged or even
consider such a question. His only concern was that the report
should be absolutely accurate and as fair as his judgement could
make it. Mr Justice Woodward rejects utterly the implication
that in some way his report was watered down deliberately to meet
some accommodation of ONA.
May I say I accept Mr Justice Woodward's assurance
absolutely as I am sure the House does also.
Mr Justice Woodward's letter to me on this issue also is
available to the Leader of the opposition to peruse.
C . i./ 4
4.
Mr. Speaker, not everything has been right in ONA's procedures.
Actions of some officers gave ground for criticism. But
things are being put right have largely been put rightand
there is no ground for any public apprehension about
-the basic security and continued value of ONA.
Genuine debate and responsible and balanced criticism
in respect of ONA or ASIO, or indeed any areas of Government
administration, are to be expected and not shied away from.-
The ciiticisms of ONA and ASIO have tended to have the effect
of undermining public faith in these two organisations.. The
Government for its part will continue to support and encourage
ONA and ASIO in the proper discharge of their importantresponsibilities.
I urge others to do likewise. 000---