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Immigration & borderDepartment of State

Department of Business and Consumer Affairs

22 December 1975 – 7 May 1982

Department of State grouping customs and excise administration with business regulation: trade practices, consumer affairs, bankruptcy and insolvency, copyright and, until 1976, patents, trade marks and designs.

How it came into existence

Created by the Fraser government's Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975, with John Howard as the first minister. It took customs and excise from the Department of Police and Customs, consumer affairs from the Department of Science and Consumer Affairs, industries assistance and prices justification from the Department of the Special Minister of State, and bankruptcy, patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and trade practices regulation from the Attorney-General's Department.

Changes during its life

How it ended

Abolished on 7 May 1982. Customs, excise and bounties went to the new Department of Industry and Commerce, and business affairs, including trade practices and consumer affairs, to the Attorney-General's Department. Patents, trade marks and designs had already gone to the Department of Productivity in November 1976.

Main functions

  • Customs and excise duties and bounties
  • Business and trade practices (Trade Practices Commission)
  • Consumer affairs
  • Bankruptcy and insolvency
  • Copyright
  • Patents, trade marks and designs (until November 1976)
  • Prices justification (Prices Justification Tribunal)

Bodies in this portfolio (2)

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.