Summary heading

Function and purpose

This series consists of correspondence files documenting information from various sources relating to Australian protective security and overseas security and intelligence agencies.

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. 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. 

The new series A12384 (Inventory of Records, 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).

This series (ie A12384) contains many items top-numbered from A12381. Full details of the top-numbering can be found in A12396. While the J sequence contains only two items the K sequence is more extensive.  The K/2/ sequence consists of files on foreign intelligence services.  Other numbers in the K sequence show a progressively more tenuous connection to the intellectual structure of this series and by the end of the Royal Commission, this sequence takes on the appearance of a general correspondence series since there are files such as ‘K/23 Summaries of submissions’ entirely unrelated to the allocated ‘authorised heading’.   File K26 is a register of private submissions received.

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 of this series are controlled by a multiple number system consisting of three or four components. The first component represents the category of information:

J - Australian Protective Security

K - Overseas Security and Intelligence agencies

The second, third and fourth components are numeric sequences denoting particular cases as they arose.

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 JIO and DSD (retaining the three primary numbers that had been associated with these subjects since the creation of that series).

The new series A12382 (A12396, series HF3) was a multiple number series documenting correspondence with ASIO, ASIS, Commonwealth Police and Department of Foreign Affairs.

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 and Defence, JIO and Department of Foreign Affairs).

Finding aids

HI2 Name index card

HI3 Subject card index

HI4 Dictionary card index

HL6 Part 1 (subject classification)

HL10 Card register

HL11 Card register

HL15 Top-numbering checklist

HL16 Register of inwards correspondence

HL17 Register of outward correspondence

Custodial history

 Following the closure of the Royal Commission in 1977 the records were transferred to the custody of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (in Canberra) where they remained until transferred to National Archives of Australia in 2001.