War memorial looks for official historian

The Australian War Memorial is on the lookout for a new official historian to follow in the giant footsteps of Charles Bean.

He or she will oversee compilation of the official histories of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor, which will be funded with $12.8 million provided in the May budget.

Although termed official, the appointed historian will make independent judgments on contentious topics, aided by privileged access to cabinet papers and defence documents.