Summary heading
Series descriptive note
Function and purpose
The files in this series cover Prime Minister Howard’s terms in office as the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. They have been created by the Cabinet Office which coordinates and manages the flow of information between Cabinet and government departments. A new series of Cabinet files commences with each change of Government or Prime Minister.
Cabinet is the Australian Government’s highest decision making body. It’s decisions are given legal effect through formal ratification by the Executive Council. Discussion at Cabinet meetings is based on a formal business agenda of which submissions, memoranda and decisions, each dealing with a specific item, are the most important records. Broadly, the issues covered by Cabinet in A14371 include industrial relations and tax reforms, in particular introduction of a broad based consumption tax on goods and services; international relations and national security.
The files contain original submissions, memoranda and minutes recording Cabinet’s decisions as well as other business matters relating to managing information not included in the formal Cabinet papers. This information covers departmental advice, exchanges between officials and ministers, briefing papers, covering correspondence and, where applicable, withdrawn submissions. The files provide relevant background information about the issue.
Copies of formal Cabinet papers are recorded on file series, A14370.
Related legislation
Using the series
Item level information for A14371 on the National Archives database RecordSearch enables files in the open access period applicable to Cabinet records, to be requested by members of the public.
Language of material
Physical characteristics
System of arrangement and control
Files in A14371 are controlled by an annual single number with a ‘JH’ prefix standing for John Howard’s administration and a ‘P1’, part number, suffix .
The formal Cabinet papers on a file are all controlled by the annual single number control symbol allocated to the file.
The numbering system denotes the content of the records, as follows:
XX/0000 series
Cabinet Records – All Cabinet Meetings
All classifications
XX/6000 series
Cabinet Records – Attendants and Housekeeping
All classifications
XX/9000 series
Cabinet Records – Appointments
All classifications
Relationships with other records
Finding aids
Access conditions
Series history
Provenance
The files in A14371 are being transferred progressively from the Cabinet Office, the recording agency, to the National Archives. The first transfer occurred in 2015 , with a second in 2018.
Immediate source of acquisition
Custodial history
Quantity in agency custody
Disposal history
Publication note
Additional information
End notes
Sources