Communications & mediaDepartment of State
Department of Communications
3 November 1980 – 24 July 1987
Previously Postal and Telecommunications Department (1975–1980).
Department of State responsible for telecommunications, postal, broadcasting and radio communications policy, oversight of Telecom Australia, Australia Post, OTC, Aussat and the national broadcasters, and radio frequency spectrum management.
Names over time
- Postal and Telecommunications Department1975–1980
- Department of Communications1980–1987
How it came into existence
Created on 3 November 1980 when the Postal and Telecommunications Department was renamed. Ian Sinclair was the first Minister for Communications, followed by Neil Brown and, under the Hawke government, Michael Duffy.
- Postal and telecommunications policy
- Broadcasting policy
- Radio frequency management
How it ended
Merged on 24 July 1987 with the Department of Transport and the Department of Aviation to form the Department of Transport and Communications.
- Telecommunications
- Postal services
- Broadcasting
Main functions
- Telecommunications and postal policy
- Oversight of Telecom Australia, Australia Post and the Overseas Telecommunications Commission
- Domestic satellite policy and Aussat Pty Ltd (from 1981)
- Broadcasting policy, including the ABC (a corporation from 1983), SBS and the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal
- Radio communications regulation and spectrum management
- Planning of national broadcasting and television services
Bodies in this portfolio (1)
- Australian Broadcasting Commission 1932–1983
Lineage
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