Summary heading
Prime Ministers' Papers Project.
Function and purpose
The series comprises general correspondence files maintained in the Minister's Office during the period when William McMahon was Minister for External (later Foreign) Affairs. The files include correspondence with other Ministers, representations made by them on behalf of their constituents, representations from individuals, companies, community and other organisations.
The subjects covered are wide ranging and include foreign aid, sale of arms to South Africa, industry and exports, diplomatic representation, treaties, British Commonwealth, South East Asia, conscription, immigration, overseas students, Papua New Guinea, defence policy, Australian representation on international organisations, official visits etc.
Related legislation
Using the series
Language of material
Physical characteristics
System of arrangement and control
The files were originally kept in the Minister's Office in two alphabetical sequences. The first of these covered McMahon's first year as Minister for External Affairs (November 1969 to December 1970). A second sequence was started in January 1971 and continued until McMahon relinquished the portfolio in March 1971, two weeks after becoming Prime Minister. It had been renamed Foreign Affairs in November 1970.
The two alphabetical file sequences have been retained, but with a single number system imposed on the whole series by National Archives in August 2001.
Relationships with other records
Finding aids
Access conditions
Subject to the Archives Act 1983.
Series history
The series registration was completed in August 2001 as part of the Prime Ministers' Papers Project.
Provenance
Department of External (later Foreign) Affairs, Minister's Office.
Immediate source of acquisition
The records in this series were transferred to archival custody by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 19 July 2001.
Custodial history
Quantity in agency custody
Disposal history
Publication note
Additional information
End notes
Sources