Commonwealth Land Transport Board
February 1942 – 1946
Wartime control board in the Transport portfolio that directed road and rail transport for the war effort, deciding which services ran and on what terms, with power to pool or direct private vehicles.
How it came into existence
Set up in February 1942 under the National Security (Land Transport) Regulations, in the crisis that followed Japan's entry into the war, with Sir Harold Clapp, former chairman of the Victorian Railways Commissioners, as Director-General of Land Transport. It took over from the Department of Transport the operational control of road and rail transport for defence.
- Co-ordination of road and rail transport for defence
Legislation: National Security Act 1939 (National Security (Land Transport) Regulations)
How it ended
Ceased as the wartime national security controls over transport were wound down after the war; the end year (taken as 1946) is an estimate and the exact date is not confirmed. Land transport policy stayed with the Department of Transport.
Main functions
- Control and direction of road and rail transport services
- Pooling and direction of private vehicles
- Allocation of transport for war purposes
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Transport.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.