AGY-1223 | Police Subversive Organisations Branch [II]

Full description

The Police Subversive Organisations Branch monitored and investigated political groups and individuals who were identified as wanting to undermine the character, loyalty, and faith of the Australian people in the Commonwealth and the system of government. Through surveillance and police action this branch sought to combat conduct, speeches or printed documents inciting citizens to rebel against the constituted authority of the State. With the commencement of the Cold War through the Soviet blockade of Berlin in 1947 and increasing local industrial strife the Police Subversive Organisations Branch once again targeted the Communist Party of Australia as a source of sedition.

In 1948, the New South Wales and other State Police Departments established Special Branch Units to liaise with military intelligence units, the former D Branch and later the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to monitor subversive activity and assist in the maintenance of national security.

References
This registration is based on material supplied by NSW Police Service, Corporate Archives.