Department of Overseas Trade
19 December 1972 – 20 December 1977
Department of State responsible for Australia's trade policy, multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations and agreements, export development and promotion, and the Trade Commissioner Service.
How it came into existence
Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 from the trade functions of the abolished Department of Trade and Industry. Jim Cairns was the first Minister for Overseas Trade (also Minister for Secondary Industry), followed by Frank Crean and, from November 1975, Doug Anthony.
- Trade policy, negotiations and agreements
- Export promotion and the Trade Commissioner Service
- Export credit insurance
How it ended
Merged on 20 December 1977 with the minerals and resources functions of the Department of National Resources to form the Department of Trade and Resources.
- Special trade negotiations
Inferred: in 1977 special trade negotiations were conducted within the trade portfolio by John Howard as Minister for Special Trade Negotiations.
- Trade policy and negotiations
- Export development and promotion
- Trade Commissioner Service
Main functions
- Trade policy and multilateral trade negotiations (GATT)
- Bilateral trade agreements and international commodity agreements
- Export development and promotion
- Australian Trade Commissioner Service
- Export credit insurance and finance (Export Payments Insurance Corporation, then the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation)
Bodies in this portfolio (1)
- Export Payments Insurance Corporation 1957–1975
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (created it)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975 (sets it out)