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.
14th April, 1954
I am currently under house arrest by members of the Soviet Embassy, who have arrived from Moscow. They have muttered about how Vladimir has been kidnapped by Australian authorities, but I do not know whether to believe them. What I do believe is that they will force me to go back to Russia.
3rd April, 1954
Vladimir has recently travelled to Sydney, and I am in a state of terror. I have not heard from him and that signals a gloomy circumstance in these times. I am not sure whether he is alive, and if so, where and under which conditions.
2nd February, 1954
The ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) has not disrupted our life until recently. The objective of the organisation was to uncover disclosed information from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs to our native country, the Soviet Union. It is plain they have begun to pay attention to my husband- and I have recently discovered news that highlights my husband’s indiscretion and stupidity. He had recently become close to Michael Bialoguski and confided in him about the issues of our mission. Bialoguski was revealed to be a key figure in ASIO. At this point I dread going back to the Soviet Union to face the unsavoury fate that would await me.
12th November, 1952
We have been unsuccessful in our mission, and the authorities in Moscow reprimand us constantly. We feel factions in the government in Canberra are suspicious and distrustful of us- we cannot afford disbelief in our roles; I have already lost my job in the embassy.
15th December, 1951
While the travel my husband participates in ultimately benefits our task, I fear her has begun to slip into unsavoury routines- I am distressed to hear rumours of his womanising and excessive drinking. Two things are now obvious to me: that our working relationship is unequal- I am on good terms with the Soviet Ambassador and assisting the mission by making connections in the Australian Embassy. Moreover, I fear the consequences that will result if my husband does not succeed.
30th April, 1951
My husband has been upheld to the role of Third Secretary at the Embassy- he is now given the opportunity to travel between Australia’s main cities, Sydney and Melbourne which will undoubtedly aid our cause.
February 5th, 1951
We have arrived in Australia, under the assumed identity of Russian diplomats, working at the Soviet Embassy; only my husband, myself and officials in the KGB are aware of our true allegiance and identity. We are expected to infiltrate the Australian government and gather information on capitalism in the western world. I am the assigned captain; Vladimir is the lieutenant-colonel.
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