In response to certain highly significant events, prominent or controversial national issues, or judicial proceedings relevant to the Australian Government (such as government inquiries, class actions or royal commissions), National Archives may identify a need to suspend its permissions to destroy certain Commonwealth records.
In such cases, a disposal freeze notice will be issued to ensure that these records are protected and available if required. The freeze will remain in place until National Archives has determined it is no longer needed.
These records cannot be destroyed using any agency-specific or general records authorities, or through normal administrative practice (NAP). The only exception to this is General Records Authority 31 (GRA 31), which can continue to be used to destroy digitised source records, as long as its conditions and exclusions are complied with.