Department of Secondary Industry

The Department of Secondary Industry was an Australian government department that existed between December 1972 and June 1974 under the Whitlam government.

Department of Secondary Industry
Department overview
Formed19 December 1972[1]
Preceding Department
Dissolved12 June 1974[1]
Superseding Department
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Australia
HeadquartersParkes, Canberra
Ministers responsible
Department executives

History

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The Department had previously been located inside the Department of Trade and Industry as the Office of Secondary Industry.[2] In July 1972 the Australian Government approved the creation of 25 new positions in the Office of Secondary Industry, an opportunity to set up the nucleus for a full-scale Department of Secondary Industry, which was established in December 1972.[3]

The Department was abolished in June 1974 when it was merged with the Department of Supply to form the Department of Manufacturing Industry.[4]

Scope

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Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the Department's annual reports.

At its creation the Department dealt with secondary industry, including:[1]

  • The efficiency and development of industries
  • Research
  • Shipbuilding

Structure

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The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Secondary Industry.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d CA 1487: Department of Secondary Industry, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 27 December 2013
  2. ^ Juddery, Bruce (24 December 1971). "Trade post". The Canberra Times.
  3. ^ Juddery, Bruce (7 July 1972). "Secondary Industry faces opposition". The Canberra Times. p. 2.
  4. ^ Solomon, David (12 June 1974). "Labor Ministry announced". The Canberra Times. p. 1.