Table of Contents
Why was the Petrov affair significant to Australia?
In April 1954 Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov, Soviet spies who were masquerading as diplomats in Canberra, defected to Australia. It affected the balance of political power in Australia for decades after the event. …
What was the main outcome of the Petrov affair?
The greatest domestic outcome of the Petrov Affair was the Labor Party Split, which had immediate and long lasting consequences for the Labor Party and the Australian political landscape. — Professor Manne on the consequences of the Petrov Affair. Old Parliament House collection.
Why did Petrov defect to Australia?
It was the crowd and not her Russian couriers that she was afraid of. Evdokia Petrov decided to defect on 20 April 1954 in Darwin. She feared for the safety of her family in Russia but many years later was eventually reunited with her sister, who emigrated to Australia in 1990.
What happened to Evdokia Petrov?
Occasionally Evdokia had to escape journalists by slipping through a gate in the back fence with the help of neighbours. Evdokia, now ‘Anna Allyson’, found work as a typist with William Adams Tractors. She outlived her husband by 11 years and died in 2002 at the age of 87.
Why did the Labor Party split in 1955?
In 1955 the Australian Labor Party (ALP) split for the third time in its history, this time over anti-communist sentiment. The split helped keep Prime Minister Menzies’ government in power for another 17 years.
Who is Stanislav?
Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov (Russian: Станисла́в Евгра́фович Петро́в; 7 September 1939 – 19 May 2017) was a lieutenant colonel of the Soviet Air Defence Forces who played a key role in the 1983 Soviet nuclear false alarm incident….
| Stanislav Petrov | |
|---|---|
| Years of service | 1972–1984 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
What is ASIO and why was it established?
This Venona intelligence, as it was known, revealed the existence of a Soviet spy ring in Australia, and ASIO was then set up to try to catch the spies. ASIO’s Charter empowered this new organisation to undertake intelligence activities for the protection of the Commonwealth against espionage, sabotage and subversion.
What was Operation Cabin 12?
‘Cabin Candidate’ was ASIO code for a possible defector. The plan for Petrov’s defection was code named ‘Operation Cabin 12’. ASIO Deputy Director Ron Richards was in charge of the operation. For nearly 6 weeks he negotiated the details of the defection in a series of tense meetings with Petrov.
What does ASIO stand for?
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is Australia’s national security intelligence service.
Who challenged the Communist Party Dissolution Bill in the High Court?
The Communist Party and several unions launched an immediate challenge in the High Court, former attorney-general in the Curtin and Chifley Labor governments, Dr H.V. Evatt, appearing for the Waterside Workers Federation.
What was the Labour party split?
Why is the Australian Labor Party Spelt labor?
Some sources have attributed the official choice of “Labor” to influence from King O’Malley, who was born in the United States and was reputedly an advocate of spelling reform; the spelling without a u is the standard form in American English.