Each year on January 1, the National Archives release cabinet records that have been held in secret for two decades.

The release of the documents each year provides a fascinating insight into the behind-closed-doors thinking of the politicians in power at the time, but this year’s release is particularly significant.

Papers released on Saturday cover a momentous year in world and Australian politics.

From the Tampa Affair to September 11 and the subsequent war on terrorism, decisions made in 2001 still affect our lives.

Today on Please Explain, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Nathanael Cooper to look at some highlights of this year’s documents.