You will now be aware that on 2 November the Australian Government, as part of its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) statement, announced that the National Archives, along with other government agencies, are required to find significant budget savings. For the current forward estimate years 2009–10 to 2012–13, the savings are $700,000 in the first year and $1.4 million each year thereafter.
In order to make savings of this order, to meet current commitments and move to being a 21st century organisation that can meet future demands, we need to make fundamental changes to the way we operate.
To achieve this, as well as reducing service costs in Canberra, we are closing state offices in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart over the next two-and-a-half years as building leases expire.
The decision to close these particular offices was difficult, but is, I believe, a responsible one. Canberra will bear budget cuts to achieve the savings, and there would naturally be a flow-on to all state offices. The decision to close the Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart offices was based on the knowledge that they could not endure any more budget cuts while still maintaining the high level of service that they are known for.
Informing staff has been our highest priority. On Monday 9 November, Assistant Director-General Anne Lyons, Assistant Director-General Stephen Ellis and I went to Darwin, Adelaide and Hobart, respectively, to tell staff in person what was happening. While there, we consulted with some of our colleagues in local archives, libraries and museums. In Hobart I met with our Consultative Forum. Separate arrangements are being made to meet with consultative forums in Adelaide and Darwin. Staff in Mitchell, Parkes, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne were also informed of the decision this week.
The timing of the office closures will allow us to deliver a planned approach. We are developing an employment transition plan for affected staff and an employment assistance service will also be made available to them.
The dates for the office closures are:
| Darwin | 30 September 2010 |
| Adelaide | 31 March 2011 |
| Hobart – Melville Street | 31 August 2010 (records storage) |
| Hobart – Macquarie Street | 30 April 2012 (Reading Room and records storage) |
Now that staff are fully informed, I want to reassure our users that meeting their needs into the future is a key concern. As well as ensuring the ongoing provision of the National Archives’ service – both locally and online – in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart, we are considering the future of the records in these locations. Some of the records may be relocated to our repositories in Sydney or Melbourne, while others may be relocated locally under a memorandum of understanding arrangement with other sympathetic local cultural heritage institutions. These arrangements are being negotiated with National Archives staff in each office.
This is a period of great transition for the National Archives. We will be looking to the support of our colleagues, professional organisations and key stakeholders to manage this change.
We will keep you informed of progress through the many communication avenues we are currently establishing.
Ross Gibbs
Director-General
National Archives of Australia
Read previous messages from the Director-General.