Representations on Behalf of Commonwealth Aerial Phenomena Investigation Organization re Unidentified Flying Objects in Australia

This file contains a series of correspondence and internal Department of Air minute papers spanning 1966 to 1968, documenting the Australian government's response to requests for financial support for the Commonwealth Aerial Phenomena Investigation Organization (C.A.P.I.O.). C.A.P.I.O., represented by its President P.E. Norris and Secretary Sylvia Sutton, sought government funding to conduct scientific research into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), citing the United States Air Force's grant to the University of Colorado for the 'Colorado Project' as a precedent. The requests were championed by Philip W. Stokes, Member for Maribyrnong, who raised the issue in Parliament and through direct correspondence with the Minister for Air and the Minister for Education and Science. The Department of Air consistently maintained that its responsibility for UFO sightings was strictly limited to assessing potential threats to national security and air defence. Internal minutes reveal that the Department of Air viewed the scientific study of UFOs as outside its mandate and expressed concern that providing financial support to private organizations would lead to unwanted publicity and imply government endorsement of the subject. The government ultimately declined all requests for funding, stating that it was satisfied with existing arrangements where the RAAF investigated reports only as they pertained to defence. The file also includes detailed summaries of aerial sightings reported to the Department of Air between 1960 and 1965, which the Department categorized primarily as astronomical phenomena, aircraft, or other identifiable causes, reinforcing their position that the vast majority of reports could be explained through conventional means.