Royal Commission on Espionage

Royal Commission on Espionage
	A picture of Vladimir Petrov and his wife. Petrov was a key testifier in the commission
Date	April 13, 1954 – August 22, 1955
Location	Albert Hall, Canberra
Also known as	Petrov Affair
Cause	Petrov's defection from the Soviet Union
First reporter	Vladimir Petrov
Participants	Vladimir Petrov; William Owen (Commissioner); Victor Windeyer (Council assisting);
Outcome	No prosecutions, expulsion of the Soviet Embassy
Inquiries	Royal Commission into espionage committed by the Soviet Union

The Royal Commission on Espionage was a royal commission established on 13 April 1954 by the Australian government pursuant to the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to inquire into and report on Soviet espionage in Australia. The establishment of the commission followed the defection of Soviet diplomat Vladimir Petrov (the "Petrov Affair"). Officially titled Third Secretary of the Soviet Embassy in Canberra, it was revealed that Petrov was in fact a lieutenant colonel in the KGB and in charge of espionage in Australia.

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