Department of Industry and Commerce
22 December 1975 – 7 May 1982
Department of State responsible for manufacturing industry policy and assistance, tourism, and for much of its life the defence factories.
How it came into existence
Created by the Fraser government's Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975 from the abolished Department of Manufacturing Industry, including the government factories, and tourism from the Department of Tourism and Recreation; Bob Cotton was the first minister, followed by Phillip Lynch from December 1977. When the Department of Productivity was abolished on 3 November 1980 the defence factories returned to it.
- Manufacturing industry policy
- Government factories
- Industry assistance
- Tourism
- Australian Tourist Commission
Changes during its life
- Defence factories and defence-related manufacturing
- Efficiency and development of manufacturing and tertiary industries
- Industrial innovation and invention
- Defence-related manufacturing and services (defence factories)
- Industry economics research
How it ended
Replaced on 7 May 1982 by the second Department of Industry and Commerce, which also took customs and excise from the abolished Department of Business and Consumer Affairs; the defence factories went to the new Department of Defence Support.
- Government ordnance, explosives, small arms and clothing factories
- Government Aircraft Factories
- Defence-related manufacturing
- Manufacturing industry policy
- Industry assistance
- Commerce
- Tourism
Main functions
- Manufacturing industry policy and development
- Industry assistance and sectoral plans (such as the motor vehicle industry)
- Tourism and the Australian Tourist Commission
- Defence factories (1975–76 and from 1980)
- Industry economics research (Bureau of Industry Economics)
Bodies in this portfolio (1)
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.