Summary heading

Function and purpose

 This series consists of correspondence files documenting the administrative or ‘housekeeping’ actions of the Royal Commission.

This series was begun in February 1975 when the original Administrative file series (a single number series described in the Inventory of Records as series HF8) was discontinued and this multiple number system commenced. All the files of the original series were top-numbered into the new series.

The system has three primary headings

• Administration (includes accommodation, security, finance, furniture, vehicle, arrangements for hearings
• Personnel (staffing matters including a personal file for each staff member of the Commission)
• Visits and accommodation (mostly arrangements for overseas trips and others within Australia)

It appears that some files contain some material which should have been filed in the substantive business series, in particular ‘the Visits and accommodation category which holds records of overseas conversation and some material from overseas sources. File EO/3/5 is registered as briefing material concerning Canada in series HD5 (CRS A12390) while file EO/3/2 contains many items regarding New Zealand.’

Physical characteristics

 The files are of a standard size, buff or green 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 with ‘EO’ (Executive officer) prefix. The primary component of the multiple number is in the following scheme:

1 - Administration

2 - Personnel

3 - Visits and accommodation

The third second component is a simple sequential number within each primary component allocated to whatever subject as they arose.

In several instances in the EO/3/… sequence a third component (always  ‘/1’)  has been added for files containing Records of Conversations (that occurred in the course of the relevant Visit)

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

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.