ASIO File: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:15, 7 September 2008

Revision as of 16:17, 7 September 2008

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== How accurate is an ASIO file? ==

People who have obtained parts of their files have said their files contain notable inaccuracies<ref name="inaccuracies 1">[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/files-reveal-the-silly-scary-spies-eyeview-of-aboriginal-history/2007/11/04/1194117879784.html] "Brisbane Times" Joel Gibson [[Nov 5]], [[2007]] ''"Files reveal the silly scary spies' eye-view of Aboriginal history"''. Chicka Dixon says "there are lots of errors". Gary Foley says "we were accused of a plot to blow up the 28-storey headquarters of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra. I knew nothing of this until I read it in my file a couple of years ago".</ref> and have noted considerable censured content.<ref name="Hammond file 1">"Sydney Morning Herald" Dani Valent [[Feb 23]], [[2008]] ''"Favourite things"'' page 55 Good Living, shows photograph of Mary Hammond holding ASIO file with censored text.</ref><ref name="Censured Content 2">ABC's Phillip Adams refers to his censored ASIO file content on Late Night Live in August 2007.</ref> A royal commission enquiry into ASIO conducted in the 1970's corroborates subjects observations' of inaccuracies in their files. Justice Robert Hope of the enquiry wrote that ASIO, between 1949 when it was formed and the mid 1970's, "could not be taken seriously as an efficient organisation" and that "ASIO has pursued radicals beyond what is required to obtain security". George Brownbill, Justice Hope's deputy, recalled that "ASIO files disclosed numerous cases where gossip and tittle-tattle about people and their so-called communist sympathies was recounted to certain figures in the Menzies governments... as we found out later and with more detailed inquiry, much of this was no more than slander under privilege."<ref name="enquiry into ASIO">[http://www.theage.com.au/cgi-bin/common/popupPrintArticle.pl?path=/articles/2008/05/27/1211654031664.html] "The Age" Chis Hammer ''"ASIO: the enemy was within".''</ref>

The National Archives of Australia has, in consultation with ASIO, negotiated a process and subjects of files may now submit a written statement outlining as clearly and concisely as possible any inaccuracies they believe their file (or a file of a deceased spouse or parent) contains. The National Archives cannot change the contents of the file but will add the subject's statement to the file. The subject's statement should only address material in the file already.<ref name="inaccuracies 2'>[http://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/publications/fact-sheets/fs53.aspx#section2] National Archives of Australia, Fact sheet 53, accuracy of personal information and courses of action if you are the subject of a file.</ref>