Each year the State Records Office of WA (SRO) marks the release of the State Cabinet records from their 30 year access restriction period by the production of an online Guide to these records on or near the first Monday in June. This public holiday, formerly celebrated as Foundation Day, is from 2012 onwards known as Western Australia Day.
A Guide to a new set of State Cabinet records – from 30 years previous – is produced by Western Australia Day, to facilitate access to these records by the Western Australian community.
The State Cabinet records are historically significant documents revealing the decisions made by the government of the day. These unique records are the primary source documents for information about the issues raised at Cabinet meetings.
1981 State Cabinet Records
Unleaded petrol, the International Year of Disabled Persons, a proposed 35 hour working week, Commonwealth/State relations and Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding gift were among the issues addressed by State Cabinet in 1981.
State Cabinet records for 1981 reveal deliberations about a proposed aluminium smelter in the Bunbury-Worsley area and the approval of legislation to ensure the Anzac Day public holiday would be taken on the day it falls, rather than on the nearest Monday. The records also show that State Cabinet approved education programs to encourage motorists to keep to the left and a proposal seeking income tax incentives for the restoration of historic buildings, as well as investigating public transport for people with disabilities. In 1981 State Cabinet was keen to join with the Commonwealth in opposition to union proposals for a 35 hour week, but rejected a proposal from the Victorian Government to the Loan Council, for a special allocation of General Loan Funds to assist in financing the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1988, Australia’s Bicentenary Year.
1981 was the last full year that Sir Charles Court was Western Australia’s premier, announcing his retirement at the end of the year, effective on 21 January 1982. In consultattion with SRO staff the Guide to the 1981 State Cabinet Records has been researched and written by Ms Courtney Atkinson, an intern secured through the Public Sector Commission’s 2011 WA State Government Internship Program.
Following is a list of Guides to Western Australian State Cabinet Records for 1976-1980:
Guide to the 1976 State Cabinet Records
Guide to the 1977 State Cabinet Records
Guide to the 1979 State Cabinet Records
Guide to the 1980 State Cabinet Records