Summary heading

Function and purpose

 This series consists of correspondence files documenting correspondence with the Australian security and intelligence agencies, ASIO (Australian Security and Intelligence Organization), ASIS (Australian Security and Intelligence Service), Commonwealth Police and Department of Foreign Affairs.

This series was begun in September 1975 when the existing multiple number series dealing with correspondence with security and intelligence organisations (CRS A12381) was modified by the introduction of three new series featuring a primary number scheme which identified particular agencies.  The new series A12382 (Inventory of Records A12396, series HF3) was a multiple number series documenting correspondence with AISO, ASIS, Commonwealth Police and Department of Foreign Affairs. The primary and secondary headings listed below indicate the content of the records. This series contains 5 items top-numbered from A12381.  There are only 15 items in total in the series.

It appears that the reason for this new series was to align the record accumulation with decisions that had been made about how the reporting of the Royal Commission was to be approached. 

Physical characteristics

 The files are of a standard size, buff coloured with white labels across the top printed ‘Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security’.

System of arrangement and control

 The files in this series are controlled by a multiple number system consisting of two components. The first component represents the agency being corresponded with:

A – ASIO

B – ASIS

C – Commonwealth Police

F – Department of Foreign Affairs

The secondary component indicates the type of documentation:

GEN – General correspondence

R of C – Record of conversation

Q – Questionnaire

For ASIO only, State abbreviations were also used.

Relationships with other records

 The original series A12381 (A12396, series HF2) continued as a series documenting correspondence with government departments (other than those primarily concerned with security and intelligence) and with Joint Intelligence Organization (JIO) and Defence Signals Directorate (DSD), retaining the three primary numbers that had been associated with these subjects since the creation of that series.

The new series A12383 (A12396, series HF4) was a multiple number series documenting correspondence, reports, briefings, information, from whatever source about the nominal agency (ASIO, ASIS, Commonwealth Police, DSD, Department of Defence, JIO and Department of Foreign Affairs).

The new series A12384 (A12396, series HF5) introduced two new primary headings in the alpha sequence J and K; the series documents correspondence from whatever source about Australian Protective Security (sequence J) and overseas Security and Intelligence agencies (Sequence K).

Finding aids

 HI2 Name index card

HJI3 Subject card index

HI4 Dictionary card index

HL10 Card register

HL11 Card register

HL16 Register of inwards correspondence

HL17 Register of outward correspondence