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Old Parliament House >> Exhibitions >> The Petrov Affair >> Resources

Background material

An illustrated timeline of the events surrounding the Petrov defection, including short biographies of the key players, is available for download (pdf, 232k).

Audio Resources

The following audio files are available for downloading. They represent a mix of contemporary recordings and selections from the Petrov Exhibition media launch, held in April 2004 at Old Parliament House.

Click on the audio icon to launch the Flash player.

ALP leader Dr H V Evatt, puts the case for conspiracy and invokes Molotov. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia.
3.4Mb
Prime Minister Menzies rebuts Dr Evatt’s argument. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia.
3.7Mb
Airline stewardess Joyce Bull describes Mrs Petrov’s journey from Mascot, in the air, and at Darwin Airport. Old Parliament House collection.
4.6Mb
Journalist Bernard Freedman describes Document H and his scoop at the Russian Embassy. Old Parliament House collection.
2.5Mb
Michael Thwaites recalls his recruitment into ASIO and his subsequent relationship with the Petrovs. Old Parliament House collection.
2.3Mb
Professor Robert Manne outlines the Petrov Affair. Old Parliament House collection.
6.1Mb
ASIO Deputy-Director Ron Richards (left) with ASIO Director-General Colonel Spry.

ASIO Deputy-Director Ron Richards (left) with ASIO Director-General Colonel Charles Spry.

Photographer – Ern McQuillan. Image courtesy of the Mitchell Library. State Library of New South Wales.

The Petrov Affair exhibition was shown at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in 2003.

More information is available on the exhibitions page.