On 12 November 2020, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP announced the appointment of a special investigator to assess and examine the findings of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry.

In response to the establishment of the Office of the Special Investigator, the National Archives issued a Commonwealth-wide records disposal freeze notice on 19 November 2020.

The notice suspends National Archives' permissions for the destruction of records that may be required by the Special Investigator and for any consequent government action. It will remain in force until otherwise advised by the National Archives.

The National Archives recognises that most agencies will not have any relevant records. As the work of the special investigator progresses the scope of the disposal freeze will be reviewed and refined.

Relevant records and any associated drafts and working papers cannot be destroyed using any agency-specific or general records authorities or through a normal administrative practice (NAP).

Further information is available in the notice of disposal freeze.

All Australian Government agencies are required by law to protect any relevant records subject to this notice from destruction.

If you believe your agency may hold records covered by the retention notice, please contact the National Archives for more information via the Agency Service Centre.