The revelations of the Petrov Affair had several implications upon the Australian social and political spheres. It ensured victory for the coalition, both in the failures in Evatt (namely, his conspiracy theories) and the Labor party (the split, 1955) and the defection of the Petrov’s, giving credibility into the investigations of the Royal Commission. The split of the Labour party resulted in a seperation into two divisions, the ALP (Australian Labour Party) and the DLP (Democratic Labor Party, conservative Catholic, anti-communist). The Liberal party exploited the communist threat and gained consecutive government power up until 1972.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
End Notes
· Evdokia was re-connected with her family in 1960. She maintained correspondence with her mother until her death and her sister migrated to Australia in 1990
· The Petrov’s were interviewed for years by the ASIO after their defect, to the benefit of western nations.
· Vladimir died in 1991, Evdokia died in 2002, at 87 years old
16th February, 1956
We have assumed another identity in suburban Melbourne, Sven and Anna Allyson. While we are in fear of assassination and rarely leave the house, it is more of a refuge I had, up until recently, been accustomed to. We have also been given a D-Notice (protection and privacy agreement from the media and government.
What still horrifies me more, though, is the fate of my relatives in Russia.
29th March, 1955
Evatt had written to the Soviet Foreign Minister, asking if the claims of espionage are true. The minister had replied in the negative, and Evatt had been ridiculed. This led the inner conflict within the labour party and explains the recent victory for the Menzies government.
(Dr Herbert V Evatt)
21st April, 1954
I have discovered a number of facts that have been hidden from me. Vladimir has defected, with the intention of doing so without me and the Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies has initiated a Royal Commission to investigate reports of espionage, which my husband has given to them, as a show of his loyalty. His actions have been impulsive and it shows he has an utter disregard for the wellbeing and safety of those I love, living in Russia. H V Evatt, however, believes Soviet spies are a conspiracy devised by anti-Communists. The people of Australia have seen our defection as a triumph of good over evil, capitalism over communism.
20th April, 1954
The flight attendant was a comfort to me; the polite man asked whether he could be of assistance when he found me, in agony in the bathroom. I said I wanted to stay. My wish was granted. The ASIO has offered me asylum in Australia, after segregating me from the aggressive escorts. I do not wish to face the persecution that I may be faced with yet, I have family in Moscow that will suffer from my actions. I decided to stay; I am yet obfuscated with my husband’s location and role in these affairs.
19th April, 1954
I have predicted my fate, and I was accurate. This morning I was taken to the Sydney Airport, bound for Russia with my escorts. Yet under the floodlights of the airport I saw the milling crowd like a roaring sea around us. I lost my right shoe, and asked my escorts to get it back for me, but they would not stop. I felt the crowd reaching for my arms and clothes, trying to pull me back, trying to save me from punishment from my superiors. But they were not successful. It seems there is no way out of this confusing situation.
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