108/ 94
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
CONCLUSION OF THE SECURITY INQUIRY
On 7 October 1993, 1 announced that I had commissioned Mr Michael Cook AO, a
distinguished senior public servant and diplomat, to inquire into various aspects of
national security. The inquiry was initiated following Government concerns about
aflgtior-niolving the unauthorised removal of material from ASIO.
Mr Cook has completed his inquiry and submitted his report. I am grateful to him for
the rigorous and perceptive work reflected in his report, which included extensive
consultations with a number of agencies.
The Government has considered the recommendations contained in Mr Cooks
report and commenced implementation of the most appropriate follow-up action.
Because the circumstances which prompted this inquiry involve questions of
national security, I do not propose to make any further comment. I can add,
however, that the Government has noted allegations made in a recent book by a
former KGB official. Any allegation of this nature is taken seriously. Those
contained in the book, however, do not seem to add substance to matters which
have been the subject of the Security Inquiry.
The Leader of the Opposition has been briefed on the Security Inquiry by Mr Cook.
CANBERRA 9 December 1994
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP CONCLUSION OF THE SECURITY INQUIRY
9447