Department of Commerce
13 April 1932 – 22 December 1942
Previously Department of Markets (1930–1932). Renamed Department of Commerce and Agriculture in 1942.
Department responsible for the export marketing of Australian primary produce, export inspection, the trade commissioner service, and navigation, shipping and lighthouses.
Names over time
- Department of Markets1930–1932
- Department of Commerce1932–1942
- Department of Commerce and Agriculture1942–1956
How it came into existence
Formed on 13 April 1932 by the Lyons government when the Department of Markets was renamed and given navigation, shipping and lighthouses from the abolished Department of Transport.
- Overseas marketing of primary produce
- Export inspection
- Marketing boards
- Navigation and shipping
- Lighthouses
Changes during its life
- Overseas trade representation
- Export promotion
The trade commissioners were appointed and administered within the Department of Commerce.
- Shipping control
- Navigation and lighthouses
How it ended
Renamed the Department of Commerce and Agriculture on 22 December 1942, reflecting its growing wartime responsibility for agricultural production; shipping, navigation and lighthouses had gone to the new Department of Supply and Shipping in October 1942.
- Overseas marketing of primary produce and export inspection
- Marketing boards
- Australian Trade Commissioner Service
Main functions
- Overseas marketing of primary produce and export inspection
- Primary produce marketing and control boards
- Australian Trade Commissioner Service (from 1933)
- Navigation and shipping (until October 1942)
- Lighthouses (until October 1942)
- Wartime marketing and acquisition of primary produce
Bodies in this portfolio (4)
- Cinema and Photographic Branch 1913–1940
- Dairy Produce Control Board 1925–1935
- Canned Fruits Control Board 1926–1938
- Wine Overseas Marketing Board 1929–1936
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.