Department of External Territories
28 February 1968 – 30 November 1973
Department of State that administered Papua and New Guinea during its progress towards self-government, together with Australia's smaller external territories.
How it came into existence
Created on 28 February 1968 by the Administrative Arrangements Order for the Gorton ministry, with Charles Barnes as minister. It took over Papua and New Guinea and the other external territories from the abolished Department of Territories, whose Northern Territory functions returned to the Department of the Interior.
- Administration of Papua and New Guinea
- Norfolk Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Christmas Island
Changes during its life
- Norfolk Island
How it ended
Abolished on 30 November 1973, the day before Papua New Guinea became self-governing: its remaining Papua New Guinea functions went to the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands appear to have passed to the Department of the Special Minister of State. Norfolk Island had already gone to the new Department of the Capital Territory on 19 December 1972.
- Papua New Guinea matters on the eve of self-government
- Administration of Christmas Island
- Administration of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Inferred: the islands were in External Territories in December 1972, this department held island services when it was abolished, and the December 1975 order gave the islands to Administrative Services. Not checked against the November 1973 order.
Main functions
- Administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea (Papua New Guinea from 1971)
- Preparation of Papua New Guinea for self-government
- Commonwealth funding of the Papua New Guinea administration
- Norfolk Island (until December 1972)
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island
- Training of territory officers at the Australian School of Pacific Administration
Bodies in this portfolio (3)
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (sets it out)
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.