Commonwealth Salvage Commission

Established by the National Security (Salvage) Regulations, made by the Curtin government under the National Security Act 1939 in July 1943, to promote and organise the national salvage of waste materials for war production, which was thought to lag behind that of Australia's allies; it came under the Department of Home Security. It took over the national direction of salvage from the waste collection schemes for paper, rags and non-ferrous metals that the states had run since an earlier Commonwealth–State conference; those state schemes are not recorded here.

Legislation: National Security Act 1939 (National Security (Salvage) Regulations)

1. 1 February 1946Moved to the Department of Works and Housing when the Department of Home Security was abolished.

Wound up in 1950, when the Minister told Parliament in June 1950 that Commonwealth salvage control had ended around the turn of the year and that the winding up of the organisation had been placed with the Department of Supply. The end year is an estimate resting on that statement.

• Organisation of national salvage drives
• Collection of scrap metal, paper, rubber and other waste materials
• Supply of salvaged materials to war industry

Last in the portfolio of Department of Works and Housing.

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Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.