In 2020 the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department) transferred 2003 Cabinet records, including those prepared for the National Security Committee of Cabinet, to the National Archives of Australia (the Archives).
This is the normal process and allows time for appropriate consultation with relevant agencies to ensure content released is compliant with exemptions in the Archives Act 1983.
The 2020 transfer of a small number of additional 2003 Cabinet records did not take place as it should have due to apparent administrative oversights by the Department, the Archives and security agencies. These oversights were likely as a result of COVID-19 disruptions at the time.
The additional records were located by the Department on 19 December 2023, and the Department and the Archives jointly inspected the records on 22 December 2023. These additional records have now been transferred to the Archives.
The Archives will review the additional records in consultation with relevant agencies, including security agencies, to ensure content released is compliant with exemptions in the Archives Act 1983.
The Secretary of the Department has appointed Mr Dennis Richardson to undertake an independent review of the 2020 transfer process and confirm that all relevant records have been transferred to the Archives. Mr Richardson will complete his review by the end of January 2024.
Only the Archives decides which documents are released and to whom. Neither the Department, nor any Minister, has any role in this decision.