ABSTRACT
The Royal Commission on Espionage (RCE) was the culmination of a long ASIO operation. It stretched from early 1951 when Petrov arrived, to April 1954 when he defected. The second stage ran from May 1954 when the RCE began until March 1955 when it concluded its hearings. These two contiguous episodes absorbed a large proportion of ASIO manpower over those four and a half years and when comparing the benefits obtained with the cost involved it was very doubtful if the operation was worthwhile. However, on the basis of the increased stature and importance bestowed on ASIO and the stimulus it provided for the government’s anti-Communist crusade, the episode was of inestimable benefit. This chapter explores some aspects of ASIO’s operations in relation to the RCE to provide some insight into the Petrov affair which still attracts the attention of political and intelligence historians in Australia.
