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What do I need to know?
Very few Cabinet records exist prior to April 1982. Most of these records are held in one series, VPRS 11935 Cabinet Records.
When searching for these records, you will need to know the period in which a matter is likely to have been considered by Cabinet.
How do I search?
Searching for the few Cabinet records that do exist for this period (pre-April 1982), depends upon the period of interest as detailed below.
Prior to 11 July 1920
The only Cabinet records that exist for this period are several series created by the Cabinet Sub-Committee for Commonwealth Celebrations in 1901-1902. Browse through the list of series for VA 4186 Cabinet Sub-Committee for Commonwealth Celebrations.
11 July 1920 – 13 November 1928
The records for this period consist mostly of chronologically arranged agendas and documents called, ‘Decision Sheets’. These were prepared at the conclusion of Cabinet meetings as a summary record of Cabinet decisions. There are very few detailed entries. Browse through these items in the listing for VPRS 11935 Cabinet Records.
14 November 1928 – 1964
The only Cabinet records that exist for this period are some papers dated 15 September 1943 held within VPRS 11935 Cabinet Records.
1965 – 30 March 1982
Records from this period consist of two sets of agendas, which were presumably maintained by two members of Cabinet. Papers in one set were stapled into paper folders. Cabinet decisions for each agenda item were noted, typically using terms such as ‘approved’ or ‘deferred’. This set of papers may have functioned as the master record of Cabinet decisions. Browse the listing for VPRS 11935 Cabinet Records to find items of interest.
Who created these records?
The records listed in this search page were created by:
Next Steps
Once you have found the records of interest to you, order them online to view in the Reading Room.
What are in these records?
Very few records are known to exist that document the activities of Cabinet during this period, as detailed above. There is no evidence that minutes of meetings or submissions on matters for discussion were ever created.
Evidence uncovered within the Premier’s Department register of inward and outward correspondence reveals Cabinet records for the period 1935–1947 were authorised for destruction in October 1962 before the creation of Public Record Office Victoria and the Public Records Act. It is likely the other Cabinet records created for the 1929–1935 and 1948–1965 periods were destroyed in this manner.
Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.
PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples