Department of Science
19 December 1972 – 6 June 1975
Renamed Department of Science and Consumer Affairs in 1975.
Department of State responsible for Commonwealth science policy and scientific agencies, including CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Antarctic Division and research grants.
Names over time
- Department of Science1972–1975
- Department of Science and Consumer Affairs1975
How it came into existence
Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972, when the Whitlam government divided the Department of Education and Science, with Bill Morrison as Minister for Science. It took the science functions of that department, including CSIRO and research grants, the Bureau of Meteorology from the Department of the Interior, and the Antarctic Division from the Department of Supply.
- Science policy
- CSIRO
- Australian Research Grants Committee
- Australian Institute of Marine Science
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Antarctic Division
The Antarctic Division had been in the Supply portfolio since 1968 and moved to this department on 19 December 1972.
How it ended
Became the Department of Science and Consumer Affairs on 6 June 1975, when consumer affairs was added to the portfolio and Clyde Cameron became minister.
- Science policy and scientific agencies
Main functions
- Science policy and coordination
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Antarctic Division and Australian Antarctic research
- Research grants through the Australian Research Grants Committee
- Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Anglo-Australian Telescope
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.