Following a media query on 18 December 2023, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) identified that it had failed to transfer 78 Cabinet records from 2003 to the National Archives of Australia (NAA), in line with historical arrangements.
On 1 January 2024, Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of PM&C commissioned an independent review of the transfer process for the 2003 records and to confirm all relevant records had been transferred to the NAA. Mr Dennis Richardson AC was appointed to conduct the review.
On 25 January 2024, Mr Richardson finalised the review and provided a copy of the report to the Secretary of PM&C and the Director-General of the NAA. A copy of the report is available here: Review of the transfer of the 2003 Cabinet records from PM&C to the National Archives of Australia (PDF 523KB).
On 30 January 2024, PM&C issued a public statement in response to the report. A copy of this statement is available here: Independent review into the transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia.
On 21 February 2024, PM&C confirmed the transfer of all 2003 Cabinet files in line with recommendation 3 of the Richardson Review. A copy of this statement is available here: Update on Independent review into the transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia.