Australian officials in London relay information about the Downer-Papadopolous conversation to officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra in a memo marked"Routine,Information Only."A redacted version of this note was released under Freedom of Information law.
9 June 2016
Three key members of the Trump campaign – Donald Trump Jr,Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort – meet Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower in New York.
12 June 2016
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says on television he has"great"Clinton emails.
14 June 2016
Democratic National Committee announces it has beeninfiltrated by Russian government hackers.
22 July 2016
Wikileaks begins releasing leaked emails from Clinton campaign headquarters.
29 July 2016 (approximate)
Australian officials notify the FBI about the May conversation between Downer and Papadopoulos and his statement that the Russian government could assist the Trump campaign. The Mueller report states this"foreign government"notice occurred within a week of the Wikileaks release.
31 July 2016
The FBI opens an investigation into potential coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump campaign,based on the information from Australia.
8 November 2016
Donald Trump wins the presidential election.
17 May 2017
Special counsel Robert Mueller appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election.
22 March 2019
Trump says he is a victim of the"greatest hoax"andwants the new probe to look at foreign government involvement in the Russia investigation."I hope he looks at the UK,I hope he looks at Australia,and I hope he looks at Ukraine,"he says of the probe.
26 May 2019
Morrison is asked in Canberra whether Australia was part of any conspiracy to launch the FBI investigation. Morrison says:"I don't plan to make any comments on ongoing investigations."
27 May 2019
Foreign Minister Marise Payne is asked on Radio National whether Australia will participate in the new investigation. Payne says:"We have not been asked to participate. We would of course consider such a request were it to be made."
28 May 2019
The Australian ambassador to the US,Joe Hockey,writes to Barr promising help for the probe."The Australian government will use its best endeavours to support your efforts in this matter,"he writes. He notes Downer is no longer employed by the government.
Early September 2019
Trump initiates phone call with Morrison to seek Australian support for the probe.The New York Times reported that Barr asked Trump to speak to Morrison.
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20 September 2019
Morrison arrives at the White House for a state visit including meetings with Trump anda state dinner. Barr attends state dinner.
30 September 2019
The New York Times reveals thatTrump called Morrison"to advance his personal political interests"by seeking Australian support for the probe ordered by Barr.