All files relating to the so-called ABC arrests and trials from 1977-1978

Phil Chamberlain made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Defence

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

Department of Defence did not have the information requested.

Phil Chamberlain

Dear Department of Defence,

I would like to request copies of all the files you hold on the ABC arrests and trials which took place between 1977 and 1978.
A link to the basic details of the case is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_trial
Although the court case was in the United Kingdom, as a partner in signals intelligence the Australian department of defence would have been briefed on the trial for security reasons.

I would like this information sent to me electronically please.

Yours faithfully,

Phil Chamberlain

FOI, Department of Defence

UNCLASSIFIED

Good Morning Phil,

Thank you for your FOI inquiry. I have reviewed your request and am advising that if any files/documents do exist they would be exempt from disclosure under s7 of the FOI Act which states, 'An agency is exempt from the operation of this Act in relation to the following documents: (a) a document (an intelligence agency document) that has originated with, or has been received from, the Australian Signals Directorate'.

Based on the above advice, can you please advise if you are willing to withdraw your request?

Regards,

____________________________
Jo Groves
Assistant Director - Information Access
Information Management and Access
Governance & Reform Division
 
Telephone:  (02) 6266 3948
CP1-6-005   [email address

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Phil Chamberlain

Dear FOI,

Thank you for responding so swiftly Jo.
I believe there will be files which would have originated from the UK government and which may be held by departments other than the Australian Signals Directorate so I hope that the exemption to which you refer will not apply.
But please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Yours sincerely,

Phil Chamberlain

FOI, Department of Defence

UNCLASSIFIED

Hi Phil,

Thanks for getting back to me. As the records you are seeking are in the open access period, they will be held at the National Archives of Australia. To access these documents you will need to make a request to the National Archives of Australia under the Archives Act.

Please find below a link that will help you locate and access any records in NAA.

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/search/ - There is a help tab located on the right hand of the screen with Contact information

I have also attached 2 fact sheets that might help with your search.

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sh...

http://naa.gov.au/collection/using/step-...

If you have any questions or issues you can call NAA on 02 6212 3900

Regards,

____________________________
Jo Groves
Assistant Director - Information Access
Information Management and Access
Governance & Reform Division
 
Telephone:  (02) 6266 3948
CP1-6-005   [email address

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