Missing cabinet documents on Iraq War to be released

[Pelican Press 0]

Missing cabinet documents on Iraq War to be released

Further previously secret cabinet documents on Australia’s involvement in the Iraq War are set to be made public.

The National Archives of Australia will release 14 documents on Thursday from 2003, including National Security Committee records about war deliberations.

The extra documents were misplaced and not initially handed over to the National Archives in 2020 by the Morrison government, when the bulk of cabinet records from 2003 were transferred in line with protocols.

A review, launched in the wake of the missing documents, found while there was no political interference behind the misplaced files, administrative error and “internal systemic issues” were to blame.

The review found 82 cabinet records were not included when the documents were first handed over to the archives.

The misplaced files were then handed over between December 31, 2023 and January 5.

The review said COVID-19 restrictions such as lockdowns had impeded usual processes for dealing with the handover of documents.

“As a result of the office restrictions, a box of cabinet records was left in a secure storage area pending intelligence agency review and subsequently forgotten,” it said.

“The review’s discovery of the additional cabinet records highlighted the complexities arising from relevant (department) officials not holding the requisite security clearances to enable staff to perform their duties with confidence and assurance.”

While the National Archives said 14 documents would be made available to the public on Thursday, all to do with the Iraq War, the remaining 68 cabinet records were still being examined ahead of their release in coming months.

“These records relate to other matters, including aviation and maritime security, terrorism/counter terrorism, fuel excise and foreign affairs,” the archives said in a statement.

Of the 14 new documents, 12 will be released in full, while two will have some information withheld.

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