The Sydney Hilton Hotel Conspiracy

In 1978, Australia was shocked by the explosion of a massive bomb placed in a rubbish bin outside the Sydney Hilton Hotel in NSW. The perpetrators were never found. However, evidence that the Australian security and intelligence forces may have been responsible resulted in the NSW State Parliament unanimously calling for an inquiry in 1991 and then again in 1995. Both times, the outcomes of hearings resulted in censorship and suppression of evidence. The Federal Government vetoed any inquiry. No investigation was held.

Prior to the bombing, Australian security forces had been under considerable pressure. In South Australia, an inquiry into the police special branch resulted in ties with Australian Intelligence being cut. New South Wales was preparing for a similar inquiry, but after the bombing, the inquiry was never held. The Federal Government increased support for “anti-terrorism activities” within the intelligence services and set up the Australian Federal Police force.