Department of Territories
11 May 1951 – 28 February 1968
Department of State that administered the Northern Territory and Australia's external territories, chiefly Papua and New Guinea, under ministers Paul Hasluck (1951–1963) and Charles Barnes (1963–1968), including Aboriginal welfare policy in the Northern Territory.
How it came into existence
Created on 11 May 1951 by the Administrative Arrangements Order for the fifth Menzies ministry, with Paul Hasluck as the first Minister for Territories. It replaced the Department of External Territories, taking over Papua and New Guinea, Norfolk Island and Nauru, and took the administration of the Northern Territory from the Department of the Interior; the Australian Capital Territory stayed with Interior.
- Administration of Papua and New Guinea
- Norfolk Island
- Nauru
The 1951 order abolished the Department of External Territories and established the Department of Territories with wider functions; it is sometimes described simply as a renaming.
- Administration of the Northern Territory
- Aboriginal affairs in the Northern Territory
Changes during its life
- 23 November 1955The Cocos (Keeling) Islands were transferred from the Colony of Singapore and became an Australian territory administered by the department.
- 1 October 1958Christmas Island was transferred from the Colony of Singapore under the Christmas Island Act 1958 and became an Australian territory administered by the department.
- 31 January 1968Nauru became an independent republic, ending Australia's administration of the trust territory.
- Education in the Northern Territory
How it ended
Abolished on 28 February 1968 when the Gorton ministry took office: Papua and New Guinea and the other external territories went to the new Department of External Territories, and the Northern Territory returned to the Department of the Interior.
- Administration of Papua and New Guinea
- Norfolk Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Christmas Island
- Administration of the Northern Territory
Main functions
- Administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea
- Administration and development of the Northern Territory
- Aboriginal welfare in the Northern Territory
- Norfolk Island
- Nauru (until independence on 31 January 1968)
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands (from 1955) and Christmas Island (from 1958)
- Education in the Northern Territory (until December 1966)
Bodies in this portfolio (2)
- Administration of Nauru 1921–1968
- Native Affairs Branch 1939–1954
Lineage
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Sources
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.