Department of Primary Industry
11 January 1956 – 12 June 1974
Renamed Department of Agriculture in 1974.
Department of State responsible for Commonwealth policy on agriculture, the pastoral industries and fisheries, the statutory marketing boards and the inspection of primary produce for export.
Names over time
- Department of Primary Industry1956–1974
- Department of Agriculture1974–1975
- Department of Primary Industry1975–1987
How it came into existence
Created on 11 January 1956 by the Administrative Arrangements Order for the seventh Menzies ministry, with William McMahon as minister. It took the agricultural functions of the abolished Department of Commerce and Agriculture: agricultural policy, the marketing boards, export inspection, fisheries and whaling, and the Bureau of Agricultural Economics.
- Agricultural policy
- Primary produce marketing boards
- Export inspection
- Fisheries and whaling
- Bureau of Agricultural Economics
How it ended
Renamed the Department of Agriculture on 12 June 1974 by the second Whitlam ministry, with Ken Wriedt continuing as minister.
- Agricultural and pastoral industry policy
- Primary produce marketing boards
- Export inspection
- Fisheries
- Bureau of Agricultural Economics
Main functions
- Agricultural and pastoral industry policy
- Statutory marketing boards for wool, meat, dairy produce, wheat and other commodities
- Export inspection of primary produce
- Fisheries and whaling
- Bureau of Agricultural Economics
- Rural industry stabilisation schemes and research funding
- Australian Agricultural Council
Bodies in this portfolio (4)
- Australian Whaling Commission 1949–1956
- Australian Wool Bureau 1953–1963
- Australian Wool Board 1963–1973
- Australian Wool Commission 1970–1973
Lineage
Loading lineage…
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.