Millions of the nations most important documents, including speeches from former Prime Minister John Curtin during World War II and images of Cyclone Tracey, are “disintegrating” in the National Film and Sound Archive.

Economics Correspondent for The Age Shane Wright told Gareth Parker a lack of funding has led to a crisis in the maintenance of the nation’s historical artefacts.

“Not enough money has been put into the national archives for years,” he said.

“Like every agency they have to cut, crimp save, and they can’t do stuff.

“And the problem with the national archives is once it stuff goes, that’s it. There are no other records.”

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