The Lands and Survey Branch [II] was formed from the ACT Planning and Development Branch (CA 861) of the Department of Interior [II] (CA 31) in 1957. The agency was responsible for surveys - Land, Engineering, Topographical together with responsibility for Parks and Gardens. It was split in 1963 into the Lands Branch (CA 827) and Survey Branch (CA 825).
Department of Territories (II)
The Department of Territories [II] was created on 13 December 1984 by Executive Council Minute No PSB 1984/80. The Administrative Arrangements Orders of 13 December 1984 (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S521, 13 December 1984) stated that the new Department dealt with the following principal matters:
. Administration of the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay
Territory, the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory
of Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and the
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands and of Commonwealth
responsibilities on Norfolk Island.
. Constitutional development of the Northern Territory of Australia.
The new Department inherited all these functions and the
responsibility for the administration of the following legislation (outlined in Administrative Arrangements Orders of 13 December 1984) from the former Department of Territories and Local Government (CA 3499):
. Ashmore and Cartier Island Acceptance Act 1933
. Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962
. Australian Capital Territory Gaming and Liquor Authority Act 1981
. Australian Federal Policy Act 1979 (section 69)
. Canberra Water Supply (Googong Dam) Act 1974
. Christmas Island Act 1958
. Christmas Island Agreement Acts
. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955
. Commonwealth Functions (Statutes Review) Act 1981 Part II
. Coral Sea Islands Act 1969
. Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945
. Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915
. National Capital Development Commission Act 1957
. Norfolk Island Act 1979
. Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910
. Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 except sections 69
and 70
. Parliament Act 1974
. Parliament House Construction Authority Act 1979
. Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923, insofar as it relates
to the Northern Territory of Australia (except to the extent
administered by the Attorney-General) and to Norfolk Island, the
Territories of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory of Christmas
Islands, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and of Ashmore and Cartier
Islands
. Seat of Government Acceptance Acts
. Seat of Government Act 1908
. Seat of Government (Administration) Act.
On 2 December 1985 the Minister for Territories announced the Government's intention to combine most ACT administrative functions within a single portfolio. The Prime Minister's Press Release of 12 December, describing that administrative change, stated that:
"The principal functions have been transferred with effect from
today are those relating to territorial health services and the
ACT education system with the exception of post-secondary
education. Certain other territorial functions which were
previously the responsibility of the Minister for Housing and
Construction, Local Government and Administrative Services, Primary
Industry, and the Attorney-General have also been transferred.
"The opportunity has also been taken to transfer from the Minister
for Territories two national functions. These are the Canberra
National Memorials Committee and the National Botanic Gardens which
will now be the responsibility of the Minister for Arts, Heritage
and Environment.
"The Minister for Territories will be responsible for providing a
co-ordinated overview of ACT activities and budgetary processes.
These will be separately reported on an annual basis from 1986/87."
The Press Release stated the Government saw these changes as being a significant step towards the establishment of the ACT Council, which was to operate from 1 January 1987 and was to replace the ACT House of Assembly.
The Administrative Arrangements Orders issued at that time
(Commonwealth Gazette, No S523, 12 December 1985) stated that:
(a) the matters dealt with by the Department of Territories include
Administration of the Australian Capital Territory, including
Territorial health and pre-school, primary and secondary
education;
(b) the enactments administered by the Minister of State for
Education include the Commonwealth Teaching Service Act 1922,
except insofar as it relates to pre-school, primary and secondary
education; and
(c) the enactments administered by the Minister of State for
Territories include the Commonwealth Teaching Service Act 1922
insofar as it relates to pre-school, primary and secondary
education.
The Press Release indicated that the Minister for Territories would receive:
Legal policy responsibility for matters transferred from the Attorney-General and legislative drafting associated with functions to be transferred to the new ACT Council from the Attorney-General.
The Territorial education system (excluding post secondary
education) was to be transferred to Territories [II] from the Education potfolio while the Territorial health system was
transferred from the Department of Health.
The Minister for Housing and Construction transferred
responsibility for operations, repairs and maintenance and design and construction associated with functions to be transferred to the new ACT Council (including water and sewerage services).
Responsibility for accommodation, cleaning, surveying and mapping and vehicle operations for functions to be transferred to the new ACT Council was transferred to Territories [II] from the Minister for Local Government and Administration Services and administration of the Stock Diseases Ordinance 1933 was transferred from the Primary Industry [II] portfolio.
At the same time, responsibility for the National Botanic Gardens and the Canberra National Memorials Committee was transferred from Territories [II] to the Arts, Heritage and Environment portfolio. Details of the December 1985 administrative rearrangements are subject to further research.
In July 1987 the Prime Minister announced a major restructuring of the administration, resulting in the amalgamation of 28 departments into 16 `super-ministeries'. The Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135) was abolished. Most of its functions passed to the new
Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and
Territories (CA 5984) while the Parliament House Construction Authority Act 1979 passed to the Department of Administrative Services [II] (CA 5983).
Minister for the Department was:
13 Dec 1984 - 24 Jul 1987 : Hon Gordon Glen Denton Scholes
(CP 309).
Secretary to the Department was:
13 Dec 1984 - 24 Jul 1987 : J D Enfield.
Australian Capital Territory Planning & Development Branch
The branch was formed in 1951, principally from the Property and Survey Branch (CA 738) the Department of the Interior [II] (CA 31). The Branch had certain town planning functions which were transferred from the Director of Works, A.C.T. (CA 743). Surveys - land, Engineering, Topographical together with responsibility for Parks and Gardens.
In 1957, the role of planning and development of the National Capital was transferred to the National Capital Development Commission (CA 257). The residue of the Branch became the Lands and Survey Branch [II] (CA 862).
Chief Minister's Department (II)
Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, Central Office
The Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and
Territories was formed on 24 July 1987 from elements of the
following Departments abolished at the same time.
Department of Sport, Recreation and Tourism (CA 3498)
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Environment (CA 4131)
Department of Education [II] (CA 4134)
Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135)
Department of Science [III] (CA 4136)
It also obtained responsibility for numerous Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Taxation Acts from the Department of the Treasury [II] (CA 2141). The Administrative Arrangements Order of 24 July 1987 (published in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S 183, 24 July 1987) stated that the Department would deal with the following matters:
Cultural affairs, including support for the arts
National collections
National heritage
Sport and recreation
Environment and conservation
Tourism, including the tourist industry
International expositions and support for international conferences
and special events
Administration of the Australian Capital Territory
Administration of the Jervis Bay Territory, the Territory of Cocos
(Keeling) Islands, the Territory of Christmas Island, the Coral
Sea Islands Territory, the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier
Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, and the Territory of
Heard Island and the McDonald Islands, and of Commonwealth
responsibilities on Norfolk Island
Constitutional development of the Northern Territory of Australia.
The Department has responsibility for administering the following Acts:
Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act 1981
Antarctic Treaty Act 1960
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980
Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act 1933
Australia Council Act 1975
Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act 1933
Australian Antarctic Territory Act 1954
Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962
Australian Capital Territory Gaming and Liquor Authority Act 1981
Australian Capital Territory Stamp Duty Act 1969
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Cheques) Act 1969
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Hire Purchase Business) Act 1969
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Insurance Business) Act 1969
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Life Insurance Business) Act 1981
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Purchases of Marketable
Securities) Act 1969
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Sales of Marketable Securities)
Act 1969
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Transfers of Marketable
Securities) Act 1986
Australian Capital Territory Tax (Vehicle Registration) Act 1981
Australian Capital Territory Taxation (Administration) Act 1969
Australian Federal Police Act 1979, section 69
Australian Film Commission Act 1975
Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973
Australian Heritage Commission Act 1975
Australian Institute of Sport Act 1986
Australian Institute of Sport (Consequential Provisions) Act 1986
Australian Sports Commission Act 1985
Australian Tourist Commission Act 1967
Canberra College of Advanced Education Act 1967
Canberra Water Supply (Googong Dam) Act 1974
Captains Flat (Abatement of Pollution) Agreement Act 1975
Christmas Island Act 1958
Christmas Island Agreement Acts
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955
Commonwealth Functions (Statutes Review) Act 1981. Part II
Commonwealth Teaching Service Act 1972
Coral Sea Islands Act 1969
Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945
Environment (Financial Assistance) Act 1977
Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978
Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974
Environment Protection (Nuclear Codes) Act 1978
Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953
Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976
Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915
Koongarra Project Area Act 1981
Lemonthyme and Southern Forests (Commission of Enquiry) Act 1987
National Capital Development Commission Act 1957
National Fitness Act 1941
National Gallery Act 1975
National Library Act 1960
National Museum of Australia Act 1980
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975
Norfolk Island Act 1979
Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910
Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978,except sections 69,70
Parliament Act 1974
Pay-roll Tax (Territories) Act 1971
Pay-roll Tax (Territories) Assessment Act 1971
Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986
Public Lending Right Act 1985
Removal of Prisoners (Australian Capital Territory) Act 1968
Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923, insofar as it relates
to the Northern Territory of Australia (except to the extent
administered by the Attorney-General) and to Norfolk Islands, the
Territory of Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory,
the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Heard Island and
McDonald Islands Territory and the Australian Antarctic Territory
Seat of Government Acceptance Acts
Seat of Government Act 1908
Seat of Government (Administration) Acts
States Grants (Air Quality Monitoring) Act 1976
States Grants (Nature Conservation) Act 1974
Urban and Regional Development (Financial Assistance) Act 1974,
insofar as it relates to national estate grants
Whale Protection Act 1980
Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982
World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983
The new super-ministry received all function and legislative
responsibilities of the defunct Territories [II] Department except the Parliament House Construction Authority. Similarly it inherited all of the Arts, Heritage and Environment portfolio's functions except responsibility for the Australian Archives.
The new portfolio gained the sport, tourism and expositions functions from the Department of Sport, Recreation and Tourism. That transfer covered the National Fitness Act and sports/tourism bodies. It inherited responsibility for numerous ACT taxation acts (eg. the ACT Stamp Duty Act 1969) from Treasury [II], the Canberra College of Advanced Education Act 1967 and elements of the Commonwealth Teaching Service Act 1972 from the abolished Education [II] portfolio and responsibilities in relation to the Antarctic/McDonald and Heard Island territories from Science [III].
On 24 July 1987, the Department of Science ceased and became the portfolio of "Science and Small Business" which, under the system of dual administration of portfolios, was placed within the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce (CA 4132).
As a result of this change, several functions were devolved to the Department of Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism and Territories.
The following table lists the function and the date that the transfer took place:
In the Administrative Arrangements Order of 4 March 1988
(Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S 64, 4 March 1988) the Department was given responsibility for the following new
enactments:
Australian Tourist Commission (Transitional Provisions) Act 1987
Sea Installations Act 1987
Sea Installations Levy Act 1987
In November 1989, the function relating to the "National Tree Program" was devolved from this Department to "Greening Australia".
On 27 June 1990 the Department gained responsibility for meteorology (effective 1 July 1990) from the Department of Administrative Services [III] (CA 5983).
As a result of Administrative Arrangements Order dated 27 December 1991 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S 370, 27 December 1991) the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories (CA 5984) was abolished. Its functions went to the two new agencies created in the same Administrative Arrangements Order - the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories (CA 7431) and the Department of Tourism (CA 7432).
Ministers for the Department have been:
24 Jul 1987 - 18 Dec 1987: Hon John Joseph Brown
18 Dec 1987 - 4 Apr 1990: Senator the Hon Graham Frederick
Richardson
4 Apr 1990 - 27 Dec 1991: Hon Ros Kelly
Secretary to the Department was:
24 Jul 1987 - 27 Dec 1991: A S Blunn
Sources
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No S183, 24 July 1987
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No S64, 4 March 1988
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No S370, 27 December 1991
Historical agency address
1987-1988: Silverton Centre, Cnr Moore & Rudd Streets, Canberra
1988-1991: Tobruk House, 15 Moore Street, Canberra
Legislation administered
Creation: Notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S 183, 24 July 1987
Abolition: Notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S 370, 27 December 1991
Department of the Capital Territory - Central Office
The Department was created by the Executive Council on 19 December 1972 (Public Service Board Minute 47 of 19 December 1972 notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 129, 19 December 1972). At its creation the Department of the Capital Territory wasresponsible for the administration of the Australian CapitalTerritory, the Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island and the Coral Sea Islands Territory.
In a press release issued on 19 December 1972, it was stated that Labor Government policy desired that a single department should be identified with the administration of Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory. However two major administrative functions, city planning and the ACT police force were transferred from the Department of the Interior [II] (CA 31), the previous administrative agency, to other Departments -
Police Forces of the Australian Capital Territory went to the Attorney-General's Department (CA 5) and
National Capital Development Commission went to the Department of Urban and Regional Development (CA 1493).
Two other functions, education and health in the ACT remained outside the control of the Department of the Capital Territory.
The Department of the Capital Territory administered the following legislation at its creation:
Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962-1966
Coral Sea Islands Act 1969
Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915-1955
Norfolk Island Act 1957-1969
Norfolk Island Ordinances Act 1957
Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923-1968 in relation to
prisoners sentenced in Norfolk Island
Seat of Government Acceptance Acts
Seat of Government Act 1908-1955
Seat of Government (Administraton) Acts
On 22 December 1975 a number of functions and acts relating to Norfolk Island and the Coral Sea Islands Territory were transferred from the Department of the Capital Territory to the Department of
Administrative Services [II] (CA 1964). In 1975, responsibility for the ACT police was passed from the Department of Police and Customs (CA 1862) to the Management Services Division of the Department of the Capital Territory, and responsiblity for the NCDC was inherited from the Department of Urban and Regional Department (CA 1493).
In the same year, the National Fitness function was transferred from the Department of Health, where it had been administered by the ACT Health Services Branch (CA 1305), to the Department. A Physical Recreation Sub-section was established within the Recreation Section, Recreation and Tourism Branch, City Manager's Office to plan, develop and conduct physical recreation activity programs for the ACT including those formerly administered under the National Fitness Act.
In 1976, the Department of the Capital Territory inherited the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages and Land Titles from the Department of Business and Consumer Affairs (CA 1951).
In 1977, the Department of the Capital Territory transmitted
responsibility for the Ministerial/Passenger Fleet of Commonwealth Cars to the Department of Administrative Services [II] (CA 1964). This transfer resulted from a government decision to establish a central transport authority to co-ordinate the use of Commonwealth cars throughout Australia. In 1981, the Department of the Capital Territory inherited responsibility for the Parliament Act 1974 from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (CA 1401).
By 1980, the Department of the Capital Territory consisted of a City Manager's Office, and four Divisions: Legislation and Policy
Co-ordination, Lands, Transport and Housing and Management Services.
The City Manager's Office looked after city parks, gardens and sports-grounds, social controls, sanitation and waste disposal services, industrial safety, emergency services, rates, commercial practices, consumer protection, price and rent control, marketing, recreation, tourism, welfare services and welfare policy.
The Legislation and Policy Co-ordination Division attended to legislation, law reform, constitutional development, messages from the Minister for the Capital Territory to the ACT House of Assembly, liaison with the Minister's office, co-operative societies, agents, rating, taxing and budgetary policy, ACT planning and the cost implications of development, policy for land charging, the
implications of planning activities, the strategy for Canberra's growth, land titles and the registraton of births, deaths and marriages.
The Lands Division formulated land policies and managed land in the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory. The Division managed and developed forest areas and conducted
conservation and agricultural services. In addition to the usual functions, the Management Services Division administered the Jervis Bay Territory.
The Transport and Housing Division managed public transport, motor traffic, motor vehicle registries, vehicle parking, government-owned housing (including sales and finance). It also formulated Transport and Traffic policy and government housing policy in relation to the Australian Capital Territory.
In September 1981, the Department rationalised its structure and operations by re-organising some of its functions. The housing branch was transferred to the City Manager's Office from the transport and housing division and the technical services branch (including the fuel control function) was transferred from the City Manger's Office to the transport and housing division. This division was renamed the transport and technical services division.
Under The Administrative Arrangements of 23 December 1981 the Department became responsible for the following new enactments:
Australian Capital Territory and Liquor Authority Act 1981
Commonwealth Functions (Statistics Review) Act 1981, Part II.
On 11 March 1983 the Department of the Capital Territory was renamed the Department of Territories and Local Government (CA 3499)
(Commonwealth Gazette, No S45 11 March 1983). The new Department took over the administration of the Territories from the Department of Home Affairs an Environment (CA 3068).
Ministers responsible for the Department of the Capital Territory were:
19 Oct 1972 - 9 Oct 1973 : Hon Keppel Earl Enderby
9 Oct 1973 - 18 Dec 1975 : Hon Gordon Munro Bryant (CP 106)
18 Dec 1975 - 16 Feb 1976 : Hon Eric Robinson
16 Feb 1976 - 19 Dec 1977 : Hon Anthony Staley (CP 233)
19 Dec 1977 - 3 Nov 1980 : Hon Robert Ellicott (CP 134)
3 Nov 1980 - 11 Mar 1983 : Hon William Michael Hodgman (CP 155)
Secretaries of the Department of the Capital Territory were:
20 Dec 1972 - 9 Jan 1973 : G GH W Smith (CP 319)
9 Jan 1973 - 19 Aug 1977 : L W B Engledow
19 Aug 1977 - 10 Aug 1981 : L Daniels
10 Aug 1981 - 11 Mar 1983 : A Blunn
Sources
Historical agency address
Electricity House, London Circuit, Canberra City
Legislation administered
Creation: Executive Council Meeting No. (Public Service Board Minute No. 47) of 19 Dec. 1972
Abolition: Executive Council Meeting No. of 11 Mar 1983
Department of Territories & Local Government - Central Office
The Department of Territories and Local Government was created on 11 March 1983 by a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S45, 11 March 1983). In his Press Statement of 10 March 1983 the Prime Minister Designate (the Hon R J Hawke) stated that the Department of the Capital Territory (CA 1477) had been renamed the Department of Territories and Local Government in view of significant changes of functions. The Government had decided that:
"the Territories and important local government responsibilities of
the Commonwealth would be located with the Department of the
Capital Territory, as a department of Territories and Local
Government. With our commitment towards self government in the ACT,
a department solely with Capital Territory responsibilities no
longer seems warranted."
The Administrative Arrangements Orders of 11 March 1983 (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S46, 11 March 1983) stated that the new Department dealt with the following 'principal matters':
. Administration of the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay
Territory, the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory
of Christmas Island, the Coral Seas Islands Territory and the
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands and of Commonwealth
responsibilities on Norfolk Island
. Constitutional development of the Northern Territory of Australia
. Matters relating to local government.
The new Department inherited responsibility for the administration of the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory from the former Department of the Capital Territory (CA 1477) and the function of local government from the Department of National Development and Energy (CA 2979). The other principal matters in the above list were received from the Department of Home Affairs and Environment (CA 3068).
The same Administrative Arrangements Orders stated that the Minister for Territories and Local Government was responsible for the
administration of the following legislation:
. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act 1933
. Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962
. Australian Capital Territory Gaming and Liquor Authority Act 1981
. Australian Federal Police Act 1979, section 69
. Canberra Water Supply (Googong Dam) Act 1974
. Christmas Island Agreement Acts
. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955
. Commonwealth Functions (Statutes Review) Act 1981, Part II
. Coral Sea Islands Act 1969
. Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945
. Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915
. National Capital Development Commission Act 1957
. Norfolk Island Act 1979
. Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910
. Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978, except section 69
and 70
. Parliament Act 1974
. Parliament House Construction Authority Act 1979
. Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923, insofar as it relates
relates to the Northern Territory of Australia (except to the
extent administered by the Attorney-General) and to Norfolk
Island, the Territory of Cocos, Keeling) Islands, the Territory of
Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and the
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
. Seat of Government Acceptance Acts
. Seat of Government Act 1908
. Seat of Government (Administration) Acts.
The Acts were received from the Department of the Capital Territory with the exception of the Christmas Island Agreement Acts which were gained from the Department of Administrative Services [II] (CA 1964) and the following legislation inherited from the Department of Home Affairs and Environment:
. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act 1933
. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955
. Coral Seas Islands Act 1969
. Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945
. Norfolk Island act 1979
. Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910
. Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978 except sections 69
and 70
. Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923, insofar as it relates
to the Northern Territory of Australia (except to the extent
administered by the Attorney-General) and to Norfolk Island, the
Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory of Christmas
Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and the Territory of
Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
In the Administrative Arrangements Orders of 1 July 1983 the
Department of Territories and Local Government received
responsibility for the Local Government (Personal Income Tax Sharing) Act 1976 from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (CA 1401).
In the changes of 1984, the Department inherited responsibility for administration of the part of the Urban and Regional Development (Financial Assistance) Act 1974 relating to local government which was previously administered by the Department of Industry and Commerce [II] (CA 3256). The Australian Capital Territory Gaming and Liquor Authority Act 1981 does not appear in the Administrative Arrangements Orders of 1 July 1984 as it was only a temporary legislation.
In the 1983 edition of the Commonwealth Directory, the Department of Territories and Local Government is described as consisting of the following divisions:
. Community Services
. Lands
. Management Services
. Policy and Program Co-ordination
. Territories
. Traffic and Transport.
The Administrative Arrangements Orders of 13 December 1984 (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S520, 13 December 1984) stated that the Department of Territories and Local Government (CA 3499) would be renamed the Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135).
Matters dealt with by the Department of Territories and Local Government passed to the Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135) and the Department of Local Government and Administrative Services (CA 4137).
The Department of Territories [II] inherited all the functions of the Department of Territories and Local Government except for
responsiblity for matters relating to local government and
administration of the following acts:
. The Local Government (Personal Income Tax Sharing) Act 1976;
. Urban and Regional Development (Financial Assistance) Act 1974,
except to the extent administered by the Minister for Arts,
Heritage and Environment.
Minister for the Department was:
11 Mar 1983 - 13 Dec 1984: Hon Thomas Uren.
Secretaries to the Department were:
11 Mar 1983 - 3 May 1983: A S Blunn
24 May 1983 - 13 Dec 1984: J D Enfield
Historical agency address
PO Box 158, Canberra City
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S45, 11 March 1983
Abolition: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S520, 13 December 1984
Department of Home Affairs (II), Central Office
The Department of Home Affairs [II] was created by Executive Council Minute of 10 December 1928 and gazetted on 13 December 1928
(Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 136 of 13 December 1928 p 3465). Its creation was in reality a change in name from The Department of Home and Territories (CA 15) whose functions were transferred almost intact.
The functions of the Department of Home and Territories were transferred to the Department of Home Affairs [II] in entirety, with the exception of those relating to the Territory of New Guinea, Papua and Norfolk Island, which went to the Departments of the Prime Minister and External Affairs.
Department of the Interior (I), Central Administration
The Department of the Interior [I] was created by Executive Council Minute No 32, Prime Minister's Department Minute 35 of 12 April 1932 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 33 of 14 April 1932, p 520). The Department was created from an amalgamation of the Department of Home Affairs [II] (CA 24), the Department of Transport [I] (CA 26) and the Department of Works and Railways (CA 14).
The Department of the Interior [I] took over all the functions of the former Department of Home Affairs [II] with the exception of those relating to Census and Statistics, all the functions of the former Department of Works and Railways, and such of the functions of the former Department of Transport [I] which related to internal transport, War Service Homes and waterside employment.
The Department of Interior [I] was replaced by its successor, the Department of the Interior [II] (CA 31) on 26 April 1939 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 25 of 26 April 1939 p 671).
Department of the Interior (II), Central Office
The Department of the Interior [II] was created on 26 April 1939 by Executive Council Meeting No 18 (PM's Minute No 54) (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 25, 26 April 1939) and inherited the functions of the Departments of the Interior [I] (CA 27) and Works [I] (CA 30) which were abolished on that date. On 19 December 1972 the Department of the Interior [II] was abolished and its functions split between nine Departments.