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ARCHIVES ACT 1983 - NOTES

ARCHIVES ACT 1983 - NOTES

No. 79, 1983

Compilation No. 47

Compilation date: 1 October 2023

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 70, 2023

Registered: 7 October 2023

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Archives Act 1983 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 October 2023 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Part I--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

2A Objects of this Act

3 Interpretation

3A A company no longer established for a public purpose

3B Commonwealth-controlled companies or associations that are not authorities of the Commonwealth

3C Director-General may determine archival resources of the Commonwealth

4 Extension to Territories

4A Application of the Criminal Code

Part II--Establishment, functions and powers of the National Archives of Australia

5 Establishment and functions of National Archives of Australia

6 Powers of Archives

6A Records that are not part of the archival resources of the Commonwealth

Part III--The Director-General and staff of the Archives

7 Director-General

8 Delegation by Director-General

9 Staff

Part IV--National Archives of Australia Advisory Council

10 National Archives of Australia Advisory Council

11 Functions of Council

12 Chair and Deputy Chair of Council

13 Deputies of members

14 Remuneration and allowances of members

15 Termination of office of member

16 Resignation of member

17 Meetings of the Council

Part V--Commonwealth records

Division 1--Preliminary

18 Records of the Parliament

19 Court records

20 Regulations and arrangements relating to certain records

21 Archives may be given custody of certain records

22 Records of Royal Commissions etc.

22A Cabinet notebooks

22B Census information

22C Independent Review documents and PWSS documents

23 Records of inter-governmental authorities

Division 2--Dealings with Commonwealth records

24 Disposal, destruction etc. of Commonwealth records

25 Advice to Council on disposal practices

26 Alteration of Commonwealth records

27 Transfer of certain Commonwealth records to care of Archives

28 Archives to have access to records

28A Records of companies or associations that cease to be authorities of the Commonwealth

29 Exemption of certain records

30 Commonwealth records to be available to Commonwealth institutions

30A Non-disclosure of Census information

Division 3--Access to Commonwealth records

31 Records in open access period to be publicly available

32 Consultation with States

33 Exempt records

35 Identification of exempt records

36 Forms of access

37 Conditions in respect of proper care of records

38 Access to part of exempt record

39 Information as to existence of certain documents

40 Applications for access to records

40A Consideration period for applications for access to records

40B Applications for access to records made by persons acting in concert etc.

Division 4--Review of decisions

42 Internal reconsideration of decisions

43 Applications to Administrative Appeals Tribunal

44 Powers of Tribunal

50 Parties

50A Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security must be requested to give evidence in certain proceedings

51 Onus

52 Tribunal to ensure non-disclosure of certain matters

53 Production of exempt records

55 Complaints to Ombudsman

55A Automatic stay of certain decisions on appeal

Division 5--Miscellaneous

56 Arrangements for accelerated or special access

57 Protection against certain actions

58 Access to records apart from Act

59 Security classifications

60 Transitional provisions relating to access

Part VI--Samples of material for the Archives

62 Samples of material for Archives

Part VII--Care of material of the Archives

63 Location of material of the Archives

64 Custody of material of the Archives other than by Archives

Part IX--Miscellaneous

68 Annual Report by the Council

69 Certified copies of records

69A Charges for discretionary service for Commonwealth institutions

70 Transitional

71 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section  15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/sub-subparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev ... ) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Archives Act 1983

79, 1983

3 Nov 1983

6 June 1984 (s 2 and gaz 1984, No S206)

 

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1984

165, 1984

25 Oct 1984

s 2(32): 25 Oct 1984 (s 2(2))
s 6(1) and Sch 1: 22 Nov 1984 (s 2(1))
Sch 1: 6 June 1984 (s 2(5))

s 2(32) and 6(1)

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1986

76, 1986

24 June 1986

s 9 and Sch 1: 24 June 1986 (s 2(1))

s 9

Intelligence and Security (Consequential Amendments) Act 1986

102, 1986

17 Oct 1986

s 5 and 6: 1 Feb 1987 (s 2)

--

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1988

38, 1988

3 June 1988

s 5(1) and Sch 1: 3 June 1988 (s 2)

s 5(1)

A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988

109, 1988

6 Dec 1988

Sch 5: 11 May 1989 (s 2(3) and gaz 1989, No S164)

--

Postal Services Amendment Act 1988

126, 1988

14 Dec 1988

Sch 2: 1 Jan 1989 (s 2(2) and gaz 1988, No S402)

--

Defence Legislation Amendment Act 1990

75, 1990

22 Oct 1990

Sch 3: 22 Oct 1990 (s 2(1))

--

Administrative Services Legislation Amendment Act 1990

80, 1990

23 Oct 1990

s 3-6: 23 Oct 1990 (s 2)

--

Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991

180, 1991

25 Nov 1991

Sch: 6: 23 Dec 1991 (s 2(2))

--

Qantas Sale Act 1992

196, 1992

21 Dec 1992

Sch: 10 Mar 1993 (s 2(2), (3)(a) and gaz 1993, No GN17)
Sch: 30 Aug 1995 (s 2(2), (3)(c) and gaz 1995, No S324)

--

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1993

60, 1993

3 Nov 1993

s 4: 10 Mar 1993 (s 2)

--

Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1994

168, 1994

16 Dec 1994

Sch 3 (item 17): 16 Dec 1994 (s 2(1))

--

Prime Minister and Cabinet (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994

33, 1994

15 Mar 1994

s 3-6: 15 Mar 1994 (s 2(1))

s 6

Archives Amendment Act 1995

10, 1995

15 Mar 1995

s 3(c) and 6-8: 18 Apr 1995 (s 2(2))
Remainder: 7 June 1995 (s 2(3) and gaz 1995, No S201)

--

Statute Law Revision Act 1996

43, 1996

25 Oct 1996

Sch 4 (item 10) and Sch 5 (items 16-18): 25 Oct 1996 (s 2(1))

--

Parliamentary Service (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997

189, 1997

7 Dec 1997

Sch 1 (item 1): 5 Dec 1999 (s 2)

--

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Parliamentary Service Act 1999

145, 1999

11 Nov 1999

Sch 1 (items 2, 3): 5 Dec 1999 (s 2)

--

Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999

146, 1999

11 Nov 1999

Sch 1 (items 100-103): 5 Dec 1999 (s 2(1), (2))

--

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Legislation Amendment Act 1999

161, 1999

10 Dec 1999

Sch 3 (items 1, 17): 10 Dec 1999 (s 2(2))

--

Federal Magistrates (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999

194, 1999

23 Dec 1999

Sch 5: 23 Dec 1999 (s 2(1))

--

Australian Federal Police Legislation Amendment Act 2000

9, 2000

7 Mar 2000

Sch 2 (item 2) and Sch 3 (items 20, 34, 35): 2 July 2000 (s 2(1) and gaz 2000, No S328)

Sch 3 (items 20, 34, 35)

Census Information Legislation Amendment Act 2000

30, 2000

19 Apr 2000

Sch 1 (items 1-3) and Sch 2: 19 Apr 2000 (s 2)

--

Communications and the Arts Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001

5, 2001

20 Mar 2001

s 4 and Sch 1 (items 1-6): 24 May 2001 (s 2(1)(a))

s 4

Australian Crime Commission Establishment Act 2002

125, 2002

10 Dec 2002

Sch 2 (item 1): 1 Jan 2003 (s 2(1) item 3)

--

Defence Legislation Amendment Act 2003

135, 2003

17 Dec 2003

Sch 2 (items 9-11): 17 June 2004 (s 2(3))

--

Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Act 2005

38, 2005

1 Apr 2005

Sch 1 (items 203-205): 16 May 2005 (s 2(1) item 6)

Sch 1 (item 205)

Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Act 2005

128, 2005

4 Nov 2005

Sch 8 (item 1): 2 Dec 2005 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Census Information Legislation Amendment Act 2006

10, 2006

23 Mar 2006

Sch 1 (items 1-6): 20 April 2006 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner (Consequential Amendments) Act 2006

86, 2006

30 June 2006

Sch 1 (item 2): 30 Dec 2006 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Quarantine Amendment (Commission of Inquiry) Act 2007

158, 2007

24 Sept 2007

Sch 2 (items 1-4): 24 Sept 2007 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Archives Amendment Act 2008

113, 2008

31 Oct 2008

Sch 1 (items 1-6, 24): 1 Nov 2008 (s 2)

Sch. 1 (items 6, 24)

Freedom of Information (Removal of Conclusive Certificates and Other Measures) Act 2009

99, 2009

6 Oct 2009

Sch 2: 7 Oct 2009 (s 2)

Sch 2 (items 19-22)

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment Act 2009

102, 2009

8 Oct 2009

Sch 1 (items 62E-62H): 9 Oct 2009 (s 2(1) item 4)

--

Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010

51, 2010

31 May 2010

Sch 3 (items 1-6, 35-37, 40) and Sch 7: 1 Nov 2010 (s 2(1) items 4, 6, 7)

Sch 3 (item 40) and Sch 7

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011

46, 2011

27 June 2011

Sch 2 (items 75, 76) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items  3, 12)

Sch 3 (items 10, 11)

National Portrait Gallery of Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2012

149, 2012

6 Nov 2012

Sch 1: 1 July 2013 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013

13, 2013

14 Mar 2013

Sch 1 (item 28) and Sch 2 (item 2): 12 Apr 2013 (s 2(1) items  2, 3)

--

Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2014

31, 2014

27 May 2014

Sch 4 (items 1-8): 24 June 2014 (s 2(1) item 9)

Sch 4 (item 8)

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014

62, 2014

30 June 2014

Sch 6 (items 2, 3), Sch 7 (item 125) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items  6, 14)

Sch 14

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015

36, 2015

13 Apr 2015

Sch 2 (item 7-9) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)

Sch 7

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015

126, 2015

10 Sept 2015

Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

National Security Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2014

108, 2014

2 Oct 2014

Sch 7 (items 67, 144, 145): 3 Oct 2014 (s 2(1) items 3, 5)

Sch 7 (items 144, 145)

Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015

59, 2015

26 May 2015

Sch 2 (items 57-60): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 5)
Sch 2 (items 356-396): 18 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 6)

Sch 2 (items 356-396)

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016

33, 2016

23 Mar 2016

Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

Tribunals Amalgamation Act 2015

60, 2015

26 May 2015

Sch 8 (items 2-5) and Sch 9: 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) items 19, 22)

Sch 9

Biosecurity (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015

62, 2015

16 June 2015

Sch 2 (items 1, 2) and Sch 4 (items 1-84): 16 June 2016 (s 2(1) items 2, 4)
Sch 3 (item 1): 16 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 3)

Sch 3 (item 1) and Sch 4 (items 1-84)

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Statute Update (Winter 2017) Act 2017

93, 2017

23 Aug 2017

Sch 2 (item 9): 20 Sept 2017 (s 2(1) item 4)

--

Defence Legislation Amendment (First Principles) Act 2015

164, 2015

2 Dec 2015

Sch 2 (items 5, 80): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

Sch 2 (item 80)

Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016

4, 2016

11 Feb 2016

Sch 4 (items 1, 20, 336): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6)

--

National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018

67, 2018

29 June 2018

Sch 2 (item 9): 29 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) item 3)

--

Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2018

130, 2018

25 Oct 2018

Sch 2 (items 1-14): 25 Apr 2019 (s 2(1) item 3)
Sch 2 (items 15-19): 26 Oct 2018 (s 2(1) item 4)

Sch 2 (item 14) and Sch 2 (item 18)

Office of National Intelligence (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018

156, 2018

10 Dec 2018

Sch 2 (item 15) and Sch 4: 20 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) items 2, 4)

Sch 4

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021

13, 2021

1 Mar 2021

Sch 2 (item 71): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5)

--

Archives and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2021

34, 2021

16 May 2021

Sch 1 (items 1-5): 17 May 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

--

National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2022

89, 2022

12 Dec 2022

Sch 1 (item 11): 1 July 2023 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Act 2023

53, 2023

11 Aug 2023

Sch 1 (items 31, 32, 35): 12 Aug 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)

Sch 1 (item 35)

Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023

70, 2023

19 Sept 2023

Sch 1 (items 1-7): 1 Oct 2023 (s 2(1) item 2)

--

 

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part I

 

s 2A....................

ad No 113, 2008

s 3.....................

am No 109, 1988; No 80, 1990; No 196, 1992; No 33, 1994; No 10, 1995; No  189, 1997 (as am by No 145, 1999); No 146, 1999; No 30, 2000; No 5, 2001; No  135, 2003; No 10, 2006; No 158, 2007; No 113, 2008; No 102, 2009; No  51, 2010; No 46, 2011; No 149, 2012; No 31, 2014; No 59, 2015; No 62, 2015; No 164, 2015; No 130, 2018; No 34, 2021; No 70, 2023

s 3A....................

ad No 10, 1995

s 3B....................

ad No 10, 1995

s 3C....................

ad No 113, 2008

 

am No 46, 2011

s 4A....................

ad No 5, 2001

Part II

 

Part II heading.............

rs No 30, 2000

s 5.....................

am No 30, 2000; No 113, 2008; No 62, 2014

s 6.....................

am No 109, 1988; No 113, 2008

s 6A....................

ad No 113, 2008

Part III

 

s 7.....................

am No 43, 1996; No 146, 1999; No 30, 2000

s 8.....................

am No 43, 1996

s 9.....................

am No 146, 1999

Part IV

 

Part IV heading.............

rs No 30, 2000

s 10....................

am No 43, 1996; No 30, 2000

s 12....................

am No 31, 2014

s 13....................

am No 43, 1996

s 14....................

am No 43, 1996

s 15....................

am No 43, 1996

s 16....................

am No 43, 1996

s 17....................

am No 43, 1996; No 31, 2014; No 130, 2018

Part V

 

Division 1

 

s 22....................

am No 158, 2007; No 113, 2008; No 102, 2009; No 62, 2015

s 22A...................

ad No 33, 1994

 

am No 51, 2010

s 22B...................

ad No 30, 2000

 

rs No 10, 2006

s 22C...................

ad No 34, 2021

 

am No 70, 2023

s 23....................

am No 109, 1988; No 59, 2015

Division 2

 

s 24....................

am No 30, 2000; No 5, 2001; No 113, 2008

s 26....................

am No 76, 1986; No 5, 2001; No 51, 2010; No 4, 2016

s 27....................

rs No 113, 2008

 

am No 51, 2010

s 28....................

am No 113, 2008

s 28A...................

ad No 10, 1995

s 29....................

am No 102, 1986; No 75, 1990; No 10, 1995; No 43, 1996; No 161, 1999; No  128, 2005; No 113, 2008; No 99, 2009; No 108, 2014; No 156, 2018

s 30....................

rs No 113, 2008

 

am No 51, 2010

s 30A...................

ad No 30, 2000

 

am No 10, 2006; No 67, 2018

Division 3

 

s 31....................

am No 113, 2008

s 32....................

am No 109, 1988

s 33....................

am No 109, 1988; No 10, 1995; No 43, 1996; No 125, 2002; No 86, 2006; No  51, 2010; No 89, 2022

s 34....................

am No 43, 1996; No 146, 1999

 

rep No 99, 2009

s 35....................

am No 113, 2008

s 36....................

am No 109, 1988; No 180, 1991; No 43, 1996

s 40....................

am No 43, 1996; No 130, 2018

s 40A...................

ad No 130, 2018

s 40B...................

ad No 130, 2018

Division 4

 

s 41....................

rep No 99, 2009

s 42....................

am No 43, 1996; No 130, 2018

s 43....................

am No 43, 1996; No 130, 2018

s 44....................

am No 165, 1984; No 99, 2009

s 45....................

am No 43, 1996

 

rep No 99, 2009

s 46....................

am No 43, 1996; No 99, 2009

 

rs No 60, 2015

 

rep No 53, 2023

s 47....................

am No 10, 1995; No 43, 1996; No 9, 2000

 

rep No 99, 2009

s 48....................

am No 38, 2005

 

rs No 60, 2015

 

rep No 53, 2023

s 49....................

am No 43, 1996

 

rep No 99, 2009

s 50....................

rs No 99, 2009

s 50A...................

ad No 99, 2009

 

am No 51, 2010; No 53, 2023

s 52....................

am No 43, 1996; No 99, 2009; No 60, 2015

s 53....................

am No 43, 1996; No 194, 1999; No 99, 2009; No 13, 2013; No 60, 2015; No 13, 2021

s 54....................

rep No 99, 2009

s 55A...................

ad No 99, 2009

 

am No 13, 2013; No 13, 2021

Division 5

 

s 56....................

am No 76, 1986; No 43, 1996; No 5, 2001; No 4, 2016

s 57....................

am No 38, 1988; No 4, 2016

s 58....................

am No 43, 1996

Part VI

 

Part VI heading.............

rs No 113, 2008

s 61....................

am No 43, 1996; No 5, 2001

 

rep No 113, 2008

s 62....................

am No 126, 1988; No 113, 2008

Part VII

 

s 64....................

am No 113, 2008

Part VIII.................

rep No 130, 2018

s 65....................

rep No 130, 2018

s 66....................

am No 38, 1988; No 99, 2009

 

rep No 130, 2018

s 67....................

rep No 130, 2018

Part IX

 

s 68....................

am No 43, 1996

 

rs No 62, 2014

s 69....................

am No 113, 2008

 

ed C43

s 69A...................

ad No 80, 1990

s 71....................

am No 165, 1984; No 80, 1990