The Petrov Affair

Question 2

In the early 1954, Vladimir Petrov faced charges from the Russian embassy for improperly dealing with confidential documents. 10th February 154, Colonel Spry informs Menzies that Petrov is considering defecting. On April 1954, Menzies called a federal election and on the 4rd, Petrov was granted political asylum and was paid $10000 by ASIO to assist his choice of defection. 10 days later, Menzies announced to the House of Representatives that Petrov has provided details of a Soviet spy ring operating in Australia. Less than a week later, Russian agents Kisylysin, Jarkov and Karpinsky forced Mrs Evdokia Petrov to board a flight and leave Australia. On 17th May 1954, The Royal Commission into Espionage commenced and on the 29th, Menzies won the federal election, Evatt calming Menzies scared Australians into voting for the anti-communist Liberal Party. On the 14th October 1955, the Royal commission report was discussed in federal parliament.

Question 3

Petrov helped Menzies to stay in government as he stated that he would provide information about communist spies operating in Australia as he was going to be defecting. Menzies then announced that he would set up of a royal commission to investigate Petrov’s claims and other information in the possession of ASIO about a Soviet spy ring.

Question 5

Due to the tension between Evatt and the anti-communist ‘movement’, within the ALP, they split into two groups which formed the DLP which gives its preference to the Liberal Party in elections.